SEARHC’s Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) providers offer treatments for allergies, as well as offer surgical solutions for chronic ear issues, throat cancer, and complex facial trauma. ENT providers provide comprehensive care for patients of all ages, collaborate with the audiology care team to conduct evaluations and treatment, deliver personalized care, and coordinate referrals for more advanced and complex conditions.
We perform full assessments including initial evaluation to assess the patient’s needs and pain points. Once your provider can identify a care plan, they will evaluate, treat, and manage:
Allergies
Ear infections and chronic ear issues
Ear wax and foreign body removal
Sinus and nasal conditions
Throat and voice disorders
When appropriate, our ENT providers work closely with the Audiology team to conduct diagnostic evaluations to determine hearing impairment, cause and establish a clear treatment plan for the patient’s needs. Our ENT care team supports patients needing audiology services and hearing aids.
The ENT providers perform minimally invasive, in-office outpatient surgeries like ear tube insertion, sinuplasty, turbinate reduction, nasal castration, and nasal implants. Procedures are done with local anesthesia and treat common ear, nose, and throat issues with minimal downtime.
Our care team works collaboratively with internal and external providers to help with referral coordination for advanced surgical and complex ENT care when additional services are needed.
Sinus infections occur when sinus cavities become inflamed, often from a viral infection, that causes congestion, facial pressure, and nasal discharge. Chronic sinusitis can last 12 weeks or more, due to inflammation, allergies, or structural issues that block normal drainage.
Nasal congestion is the blockage of nasal passages from swelling of the interior of the nasal cavity.
Acute ear infections are sudden infections behind the eardrum, often caused by bacteria or viruses. Chronic ear infections involve ongoing or recurrent inflammation and fluid in the middle ear, sometimes leading to hearing problems or eardrum damage.
Hearing loss is a reduction in the ability to hear sounds and is often caused by aging, noise exposure, infections, or structural issues. Tinnitus causes ringing, buzzing, or humming in the ears without an external cause, and can be related to hearing loss or inner‑ear irritation.
Symptoms often stem from vestibular disorders, where the balance of the inner ear system is affected sometimes caused by benign positional vertigo (BPPV), inner‑ear infections, or fluid imbalance.
Inflammation of the tonsils, typically caused by viral or bacterial infections, leading to throat pain, difficulty swallowing, and fever.
Hoarseness refers to changes in the voice, including raspiness, strain, or weakness, and is often caused by inflammation of the vocal cords, overuse, infections, or acid reflux.
Earwax buildup becomes impacted when it hardens or blocks the ear canal, leading to discomfort, muffled hearing, itching, or dizziness.
These include small growths or abnormalities, like polyps, cysts, or benign nodules, in the nose or throat. ENT providers evaluate and test these lesions and refer to specialists if more complex testing or treatment is required.
In-Person & Telehealth Visits: Our providers and teams coordinate with patients to provide the best access to treatment depending on the location of your community. SEARHC’s care team works with providers and patients to determine appropriate appointment settings, whether in-person or virtual.
Ongoing Access & Support: Regular follow-up ensures symptoms are monitored, and treatments are adjusted. The ENT, SLP, and Audiology teams work collaboratively to ensure continuity of care and treatment plans.
Coordinated Care: Collaborating closely with primary care, speech therapy and audiology for comprehensive treatment.
In-person consultations in Sitka (Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center) and Juneau (Ethel Lund Medical Center and SEARHC Specialty Clinic).
Telehealth appointments are available consortium-wide ensuring you’re cared for regardless of where you live. Providers and care teams work with patients and determine their needs to find the best treatment options and locations.
