ABSTRACT

Otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat doctors) are specialists in ear problems, among other things. Otology is a subspecialty of otolaryngology, practiced by physicians with special interests and concentration on ear problems. Neurotology is a subspecialty of otolaryngology, and really a subspecialty of otology. Although the field is over 40 years old, there are still few practitioners who have the experience or fellowship training beyond otolaryngology residency to qualify them as neurotologists. Otolaryngologists subspecializing in this area are specially trained in the diseases of the ear and ear-brain interface, and in skull base surgery for problems such as acoustic neuroma, glomus jugulare, intractable vertigo, total deafness, and traditionally "unresectable" neoplasms. They are distinct from otoneurologists, whose background is in neurology but who have special interest in disorders afflicting the hearing and balance system. Consultation with an otologist or neurotologists often is advisable during evaluation of ear and hearing problems which are often more complex than they appear to be at first.