What is ENT
Otolaryngology is the field of medicine concerned with the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT). An Otolaryngologist specialises in both surgery and medicine.
They are different from physicians because otolaryngologists are qualified to perform surgery on the complex and very delicate tissues of the neck and head. The conception of this speciality was in the 19th century when doctors realised that a series of interconnected systems reside within the head and the neck.
Tools and techniques were developed for the examining and treatment of problems of the neck and head, eventually turning this into a separate medical speciality. The American Academy of Otolaryngology remarked that this is the oldest medical speciality in the USA.
Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of ENT
The study of ENT can be pursued at a postgraduate level, which must follow after a mandatory MBBS course. Some of the minimum criteria of eligibility for students to pursue MS in ENT are:
Candidates must have completed their class 12 board examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as the core subjects (Mathematics as a core subject is optional).
Candidates must possess an MBBS degree from a recognised institute.
Candidates must have undergone a mandatory 1-year rotating internship.
Entrance Exams for ENT
To study ENT at the postgraduate level, students are first required to pursue an MBBS degree for 5 years. Upon completion of this course, students may then pursue a Master of Surgery (MS) in ENT.
There are several medical entrance examinations which are conducted for postgraduate medical studies. To gain admission into a medical school's MS ENT programme, one must clear the requisite entrance exam. Some of the top entrance examinations conducted for postgraduate medical studies are:
All India Institute of Medical Sciences Post Graduate Entrance Examination: The AIIMS PG entrance exam is conducted by AIIMS for granting admissions to its postgraduate medical courses (Master of Surgery (MS)/ Doctor of Medicine (MD)/ Master of Dental Surgery (MDS)/Master of Chirurgie (MCh)/Doctorate of Medicine (DM)). The exam is held twice a year and is open to all candidates who possess an MBBS or BDS degree (as applicable) from a recognised university. Many other medical entrance exams such as JIPMER (Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research) and AIPGMEE (All India Post Graduate Medical Entrance Examination ) are now conducted as the AIIMS.
National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET-PG): A ranking exam in India, the NEET PG is one of the most competitive entrance exams for medical studies at the postgraduate level. Students who clear this exam are accepted into postgraduate MD, MS and diploma courses in various private and government colleges across the country.
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Scope of ENT in India and Abroad
ENT is a widely popular specialisation in medicine not only in India but also abroad. Advanced technology has been introduced in the field which has now vastly increased the scope of super-specialisation in ENT, which includes rhinology, otology, cochlear implants, phono-surgery, sinusitis, sleep apnoea, and facial plastics.
After completing MS in ENT, candidates are eligible to work in private or government hospitals as a practitioner. With enough experience, they can go on to start their clinic. Another option available to candidates is to join a research programme to contribute to the advancement of the field.
ENT Specialists are in high demand pretty much everywhere because their field of work entails dealing with very delicate, sensitive tissues. Many candidates who have completed their education in ENT in India have set up successful practices abroad.
Course Subjects
With regards to the course curriculum and course objectives of the ENT course, some of the most common subjects that are covered during the postgraduate specialisation course are:
Ear
Assessment of hearing
Physiology of hearing
Anatomy, embryology, and ultrastructure of the ear
Temporal bone
Facial nerve
Eustachian tube anatomy & physiology
Hearing loss
Nose and Paranasal Sinuses
Physiology
Nasal Septum
Evaluation of the nasal airway
Pathophysiology of the ears and nasal sinuses for diving and flight
Anatomy & Embryology
Oral Cavity
Embryology, Anatomy and Physiology of Salivary Glands
Embryology, Anatomy of mouth and related Faciomaxillary structure
Audiology
BERA
Tympanometry
Audiometry & Masking
Larynx and Tracheobronchial Tree
Physiology of respiration
Physiology of phonation
Anatomy and embryology
Apart from the above, subjects are also covered under the Skull Base, Pharynx and Oesophagus, Neck, and Imaging and Radiology.
Careers in ENT
ENT or Otolaryngology is a branch of medicine and surgery which is concerned with the diagnosis, examination, and treatment of illnesses or disorders of the neck and head.
When pursuing a career in ENT, one can specialise in any one of the following areas:
Reconstructive Plastic and Facial Plastic Surgery (dealing with traumatic disorders, and maxillofacial disorders)
Pediatric Otolaryngology (dealing with common disorders in children such as correction of cleft lip, hearing problems, ear infections, and cochlear implants)
Head and Neck Oncology (dealing with endocrine surgery, reconstruction, and oncology surgery)
Neurotology (dealing with neurological disorders of ears, dizziness, skull base surgery)
After completing their studies, candidates can begin their career working in a private or government hospital or a dispensary. Upon gathering significant knowledge and work experience in institutions, many go on to start their private clinics. Another option is working as an outsourced surgeon in private and government hospitals.
Some students prefer to go into research. This field of work provides one with plenty of exposure, along with the opportunity to work with other experts in the field towards the advancement of the field.
Upcoming trends
ENT is a dynamic field of medical study, with countless discoveries and scientific developments constantly pushing the science forward. At any point in time, there are always numerous developments underway and numerous ideas being conceived. Some of the many emerging topics and trends that are the talk of the field of Otolaryngology are:
Combining electrical stimulation of the tongue and sound like a mean to reduce tinnitus: Tinnitus, commonly described as a ringing in the ears, is a condition associated with loss of hearing. Recently, researchers performed the largest clinical trial of its kind to prove that combining electrical stimulation of the tongue with sound can play a significant role in reducing tinnitus. A significant finding, this could help millions of people affected worldwide by tinnitus (about 15-20% world population).
Sudden permanent loss of hearing may be caused by COVID-19: Since the Coronavirus (or COVID-19) came to be known, the world has gradually learned more and more about the symptoms, effects, prevention and probable treatment of the virus. Of many discoveries regarding this virus, a new development has emerged; the possibility of permanent hearing loss due to the Coronavirus. The study was conducted on a 45-year old asthmatic male who had been admitted to the ICU with COVID-19. This patient had been intubated for 30 days, suffering from many complications, including pulmonary hypertension, anaemia, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and bilateral pulmonary emboli. Drugs were administered to the patient, but he reported hearing loss and tinnitus one week after extubation. Upon examination, COVID-19 was concluded to have affected the hearing.
Development of a unique diagnostic tool to use MRI scans to detect dystonia: At Mass Eye and Ear, researchers have built a diagnostic tool with the ability to detect dystonia from MRI scans. Dystonia is a serious neurological condition, potentially disabling, which causes involuntary muscle contractions resulting in abnormal postures and movements. Often misdiagnosed, this condition sometimes takes up to 10 years to receive a correct diagnosis, which is why there was a dire need for an improved method of detection for dystonia. DystoniaNet, an AI-based deep learning platform, has been developed which during trials diagnosed dystonia with a 98.8% accuracy.
Job Profiles and Top Recruiters
Upon completing a degree in ENT, aspirants have multiple choices of job profiles to launch their careers in. While the traditional belief may be that students always pursue a career as an ENT Specialist, there are many different choices that one can opt for. Some top job profiles in ENT include:
Job Profile | Responsibilities |
Diagnosis and treatment of conditions that involve the head, neck, ears, nose, and throat; treating hearing and balance problems, thyroid problems, and respiratory infections | |
Otolaryngologist | Examining a patient's sinuses, larynx, ear, nose, throat, and general disorders relating to the head and the neck; performing neck and head surgeries for various conditions; designing and advising treatment plans for a variety of conditions like allergies, hearing loss, cancer, and taste and smell disorders |
ENT Assistant | Teaching, scholarship, and service responsibilities with primary opportunities in teaching in areas like Paediatrics, Cardiovascular or Pulmonary, Anatomy, and Kinesiology |
Research Assistant | Using multiple streams of data to uncover information; using legal documents, the internet and published papers to gather and analyse information |
Medical Scientist | Discovering new methods of treating human health conditions and enhancing human health in general, using deductions and thorough research |
Top Recruiters of ENT Professionals
Some of the top recruiters of candidates who have studied ENT include:
Fortis
Max Healthcare
AIIMS
Kasturba Medical College
Calcutta Medical College
Gleneagles Global Hospitals India
Apollo Hospitals
Kohinoor
Average Salary
Studying ENT provides candidates with plenty of opportunities to build a career in any job profile of their choice in the field. Like the roles and responsibilities of each job profile differ, so do their salaries and career trajectories.
An average estimate of how much one can expect to earn in each of the aforementioned job profiles is provided below.
Job Role | Average Salary |
ENT Specialist | Rs. 4-12 lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Otolaryngologist | Rs. 3-15 lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
ENT Assistant | Rs. 3-4 lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Research Assistant | Rs. 3-5 lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Medical Scientist | Rs. 5-7 lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Required Skillset for ENT
The work of an ENT, much like that of any medical professional, involves several long shifts. They are required to work relentlessly, interact with many patients and colleagues regularly, and stay updated with their knowledge about developments in the field- altogether a potentially tasking fieldwork. To build a successful career in ENT, therefore, one must possess or inculcate a certain set of skills that can go a long way in helping one adjust to the hectic work style. Some of these skills are:
ENT specialists require excellent hand-eye coordination because they perform surgery on some very critical tissues, nerves and organs in the human neck and head.
They must possess critical thinking abilities and problem-solving skills, because certain decisions need to be made very quickly without much time for deliberation, and these require one to be adept at arriving at the right solutions.
ENT specialists should have excellent communication skills, with the ability to get along with and instil confidence in people. They must have the required empathy and mannerism that enables them to communicate with patients and their family.
These professionals also require a strong moral philosophy, along with the ability to work efficiently under stressful conditions.
Course Curriculum for ENT
A course in ENT is aimed at providing students with the all-round education required to become a skilled, competent Otolaryngologist with:
Acquired competencies relevant to ENT which must be practised in all levels of the healthcare system.
Orientation to principles of research methodology.
Awareness of the developments and contemporary advancements in medical science, particularly those related to ENT.
Recognition of the health requirements of ENT patients.
The ability to carry out professional obligations regarding professional ethics and the principles of National Health Policy.
Skills for effective communication with patients, families, and the community.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: How does an ENT specialist's salary differ when working in the government sector as opposed to working in the private sector?
Answer :
The basic salary earned by an ENT specialist working in a government hospital is roughly around Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 40,000 per month. Working in the private sector, an ENT specialist with the same level of seniority/experience can earn roughly Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 50,000 per month.
Question: What types of surgical procedures do ENT doctors perform?
Answer :
While surgery is not necessarily a primary part of their job, ENT doctors can be required to perform certain procedures like tonsil removal, snoring or sleep disorder surgery, sinus surgery, and corrective breathing surgery.
Question: How to study to become an ENT specialist?
Answer :
After completing their Higher Secondary examination, candidates are eligible to pursue an MBBS degree, which is a prerequisite to studying ENT at the postgraduate level. Upon completing the MBBS, students can opt to pursue a Master of Surgery in ENT, following which they are ready to begin a career in Otolaryngology.
Question: Do ENT specialists work long hours?
Answer :
As is true of any medical professional, long hours are an implicit part of the job description. ENT specialists are required to perform treatment procedures, attend meetings, communicate with the ENT team and other colleagues, and many other kinds of work daily. It is therefore not uncommon for an ENT professional's shift to last as long as 12 hours a day.
Question: What is the difference between ENT and Otolaryngology?
Answer :
ENT and Otolaryngology are the same discipline which deals with the ear, nose and throat. The only difference between the two is that ENT is the shorthand and more commonly used term, whereas Otolaryngology is the lesser-known name of the speciality.
