When Should You See an ENT Doctor? 8 Warning Signs Not to Ignore

An ENT (otolaryngologist) is the specialist for any persistent or unusual problem affecting the ears, nose, throat, voice box, sinuses, neck glands, sleep breathing, or balance. Most issues seen in clinic could have been resolved faster — and more comfortably — if the patient had been seen sooner. The list below covers the eight signs that most reliably warrant a specialist review. For an overview of all the conditions we manage, see our ENT conditions hub.

1. Blocked nose lasting more than 3 weeks

A common cold should clear within 7 to 10 days. Persistent nasal blockage beyond 3 weeks — especially if one-sided, blood-stained, or accompanied by facial pain, smell loss, or repeated infections — points to allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, a deviated septum, or, less commonly, a growth in the post-nasal space. A nasoendoscopy in clinic settles the diagnosis in minutes. Read more about a persistently blocked nose.

2. Sudden hearing loss (the 72-hour window)

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is hearing that drops in one ear over hours to days — often noticed first thing on waking, or in the middle of a phone call. It is a true ENT emergency: high-dose oral steroids started within 72 hours give a much better chance of recovery than treatment delayed by even a week. Do not wait to see if it improves on its own. Learn more about hearing loss and same-day assessment.

3. Recurring ear infections (more than 3 per year)

Adults rarely get repeated ear infections without an underlying cause — Eustachian tube dysfunction, post-nasal drip, untreated allergic rhinitis, or, in unusual cases, a cholesteatoma. Children with three or more episodes of acute otitis media in a year, or persistent middle-ear fluid, should also be assessed. Untreated, recurrent infections can damage the middle ear and affect long-term hearing. See ear infections for what to look for.

4. Chronic sore throat or recurrent tonsillitis

Sore throat for a few days with a viral infection is normal. A throat that feels persistently raw, with chronic throat-clearing, lump-in-the-throat sensation, or hoarseness lasting beyond 3 weeks deserves a scope. Adults and children with seven or more episodes of tonsillitis in a single year (or five per year over two years) usually qualify for tonsillectomy under standard criteria. See tonsillitis for the full guidance.

5. Persistent cough lasting more than 8 weeks

A cough that has not settled after 8 weeks of GP treatment is, by definition, chronic — and ENT causes are commonly missed. The big three are upper-airway cough syndrome (post-nasal drip), laryngopharyngeal reflux (silent reflux), and asthma. A nasoendoscopy plus laryngoscopy assesses the upper and lower airways simultaneously. Read more on chronic cough.

6. Frequent or heavy nosebleeds

Occasional minor nosebleeds in dry, air-conditioned environments are usually nothing to worry about. Nosebleeds that occur more than twice a week, last longer than 20 minutes, soak through tissues, or are heavy enough to cause dizziness need ENT review. Causes range from a simple prominent blood vessel that can be cauterised in clinic, to blood-thinning medication, high blood pressure, or, rarely, a tumour. See nosebleeds.

7. Snoring with witnessed breathing pauses

Loud snoring on its own may be a social problem; snoring with witnessed pauses in breathing — described by your bed partner as "you stopped breathing, then gasped" — is obstructive sleep apnea until proven otherwise. Untreated sleep apnea raises the risk of high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, and traffic accidents from daytime sleepiness. A home sleep study confirms the diagnosis. Read about snoring and sleep apnea and the sleep study options available.

8. Lump in the neck lasting more than 2 weeks

Most neck lumps are benign — reactive lymph nodes from infection, a thyroid swelling, or a salivary gland stone. But any neck lump in an adult that persists beyond 2 weeks, grows, becomes hard, or is associated with hoarseness, ear pain, swallowing difficulty, or unintentional weight loss, must be assessed urgently. ENT examination, ultrasound, and where needed a fine-needle biopsy can be arranged in a single visit. See neck lumps and thyroid.

What happens at the consultation

An ENT consultation is straightforward: a focused history of the problem, a head-and-neck examination, and — depending on the symptom — a flexible nasoendoscopy, ear microscopy, hearing test, or scans. Most conditions can be diagnosed at the same visit, with a clear treatment plan agreed before you leave. Investigations such as imaging or sleep studies, where needed, are usually arranged within the same week.

Frequently Asked Questions