Hearing screening in newborns is an examination conducted for the early detection of congenital hearing loss in infants. Assessing hearing ability during the first months of life is highly important for the child’s speech and language development. The examination is usually performed using otoacoustic emissions (OAE) or automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) methods. The procedure is painless and is carried out using a special device placed in the baby’s ear. If the screening result indicates the need for further examination, a more detailed audiological assessment is performed.

Ear infections can involve the structures of the outer, middle or inner ear. These diseases, known as otitis, are accompanied by ear pain, hearing loss, discharge from the ear, fever and sometimes dizziness. During diagnosis, the ear canal and eardrum are examined; hearing tests and additional examinations are performed when necessary. Treatment is carried out with analgesics and topical or systemic medications, depending on the type and cause of the infection.

Vertigo is a condition characterized by the sensation that the person or the objects around them are spinning. Disorders of the inner ear and balance system may be among the causes of vertigo. This condition may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, impaired balance and increased complaints during movement.

Tinnitus is characterized by hearing ringing, buzzing, whistling, roaring and other sounds in the ear or head in the absence of an external sound source. This condition may be associated with hearing loss, ear diseases, prolonged exposure to noise and certain other health problems.

Sinusitis is inflammation of the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses. It may occur in acute or chronic form. The main symptoms include nasal congestion, nasal discharge, pressure and pain in the facial area, reduced sense of smell and sometimes headache. Diagnosis is carried out through an ENT examination, nasal endoscopy and, when necessary, imaging methods.

Rhinitis occurs as a result of inflammation or irritation of the nasal mucosa. Allergic rhinitis may be associated with sensitivity to allergens, while vasomotor rhinitis may be related to temperature, odors, weather changes and other non-allergic factors. Seasonal rhinitis occurs mainly during certain seasons, whereas atrophic rhinitis is characterized by thinning and dryness of the nasal mucosa.

A reduced ability to smell (hyposmia) or its complete loss (anosmia) may be associated with diseases of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, allergies, viral infections, nasal polyps and certain neurological causes. During diagnosis, the nasal cavity and olfactory system are assessed; endoscopic examination and smell tests are performed when necessary.

Nasal polyposis is characterized by benign polyps developing from the mucous membrane in the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses. Polyps may cause nasal obstruction, reduced sense of smell, nasal discharge and symptoms of sinusitis. Diagnosis is carried out through an ENT examination and nasal endoscopy; computed tomography is prescribed when necessary. Treatment may include topical corticosteroid sprays, other medications and, when drug treatment is insufficient, endoscopic sinus surgery.

Nosebleeds may occur as a result of damage to the blood vessels in the nasal cavity or dryness of the mucous membrane. Trauma, infections, allergies, high blood pressure and certain medications may also cause bleeding. The source of the bleeding is determined during the examination. Depending on the intensity of the bleeding, treatment may include local pressure, vessel coagulation, nasal packing and, in selected cases, surgical or endovascular methods.

Nasal obstruction is characterized by difficulty breathing through the nose. It may be caused by a deviated nasal septum, enlarged nasal turbinates, allergic rhinitis, polyps, chronic sinusitis and other anatomical and inflammatory problems. During diagnosis, the nasal cavity is examined; endoscopy and imaging methods are used when necessary.

Pharyngitis is inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx. Acute pharyngitis is often associated with viral or bacterial infections. Chronic pharyngitis may be related to factors such as prolonged irritation, cigarette smoke, dry air, allergies and the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus and pharynx. The main symptoms are sore throat, dryness, irritation, discomfort when swallowing and cough.

Pharyngitis is inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx. Acute pharyngitis is often associated with viral or bacterial infections. Chronic pharyngitis may be related to factors such as prolonged irritation, cigarette smoke, dry air, allergies and the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus and pharynx. The main symptoms are sore throat, dryness, irritation, discomfort when swallowing and cough.

Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx, particularly the vocal cords. Acute laryngitis usually occurs as a result of viral infections or excessive strain on the voice. Chronic laryngitis may be associated with prolonged vocal strain, smoking, reflux and other irritating factors. Hoarseness, weakening or temporary loss of the voice, throat dryness and cough are among the main symptoms. The larynx and vocal cords are examined for diagnosis.

Voice disorders — nodules on the vocal cords, polyps, inflammatory changes, improper use of the voice, neurological problems and reflux may cause this condition. During diagnosis, the characteristics of the voice are assessed, and laryngoscopy or videolaryngostroboscopy may be performed. Treatment may include voice therapy, medication and, in selected cases, surgical intervention, depending on the cause.

A deviated nasal septum may cause difficulty breathing through the nose, nasal obstruction, snoring and, in some cases, recurrent sinusitis complaints. Septoplasty is a surgical procedure aimed at improving airflow by correcting the bony and cartilaginous parts of the nasal septum.

The nasal turbinates are anatomical structures involved in warming, humidifying and cleaning the air in the nasal cavity. Excessive enlargement may cause nasal obstruction and difficulty breathing. Radiofrequency, laser, submucosal reduction and other surgical methods may be used to reduce the turbinates.

Adenoidectomy is the surgical removal of adenoid tissue — the nasopharyngeal tonsil — located in the nasopharyngeal area. Enlargement of adenoid tissue may be associated in children with nasal obstruction, mouth breathing, snoring, breathing disorders during sleep and fluid accumulation in the middle ear.

This is a minimally invasive surgical method used in the treatment of problems such as chronic inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, polyps and obstruction of the natural drainage pathways of the sinuses. The operation is performed using an endoscope and special instruments inserted through the nostrils. The natural openings of the paranasal sinuses are widened, and diseased tissues and polyps are removed when necessary.

Tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of the palatine tonsils. The operation may be considered in cases of frequently recurrent tonsillitis, certain complications associated with the tonsils or breathing disorders during sleep caused by enlarged tonsils. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia.

Snoring occurs when airflow passing through the upper respiratory tract during sleep causes the soft tissues to vibrate. A deviated nasal septum, enlarged nasal turbinates and anatomical features involving the soft palate and tonsils may be among the causes of snoring. Depending on the source of the snoring, surgical treatment may target the nose, soft palate or other anatomical structures.

Obstruction of the lacrimal duct prevents tears from flowing normally into the nasal cavity and may be accompanied by persistent tearing, discharge at the corner of the eye and sometimes recurrent infections. Various treatment methods are applied depending on the level and cause of the obstruction. These may include probing of the lacrimal passages, placement of a silicone tube and dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery.

Tympanoplasty is an operation performed to surgically repair a perforation or damage to the eardrum. Damage to the eardrum may be associated with chronic middle ear inflammation, trauma and other causes. During the operation, the defect in the eardrum is usually repaired with material taken from the patient’s own tissue. When necessary, the condition of the hearing ossicles in the middle ear is also assessed and appropriate intervention is performed.

A small ventilation tube may be placed in the eardrum in cases of long-term fluid accumulation in the middle ear, hearing loss and, in some cases, adhesive otitis. This tube helps ventilate the middle ear cavity and drain the fluid. During the procedure, a small incision is made in the eardrum, the accumulated fluid is removed and the ventilation tube is placed. This intervention may be considered particularly in children with persistent middle ear fluid and hearing loss.

Otoplasty is a surgical procedure performed to change the shape and size of the auricle and its angle relative to the head. It is most commonly performed to correct protruding ears, congenital differences in shape and certain deformities resulting from trauma. During the operation, the ear cartilage is shaped and the position of the auricle is corrected.

Keloids, lipomas and other benign lesions may develop on the auricle. Surgical removal of these lesions may be considered when they cause aesthetic concerns, growth, pain or mechanical discomfort. Before the intervention, the size, location and nature of the lesion are assessed. When necessary, the removed tissue is sent for histopathological examination.