Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) in Los Angeles

Ear, nose, and throat, ENT for short or Otolaryngology, is a medical specialty that focuses on the care and treatment of the ears, nose, and throat. Physicians who specialized in ENT are called otolaryngologists or ENT doctors and are qualified and trained in both the medical and surgical management of the following conditions:

• Conditions of the ear – ENT doctors can help with ear disorders or other issues, such as ear infections, hearing impairment, ear noise (tinnitus), balance disorders, nerve pain, as well as facial and cranial nerve disorders. They can also manage congenital disorders (disorders that are present since birth) of the inner and outer ear. 
• Conditions of the nose – one of the primary skills of ENT doctors in the care of the nose, nasal cavity, and sinuses. They can diagnose, treat, and manage allergies, deviated septum, smell disorders, sinusitis, polyps, and nasal obstruction because of a deviated septum. They can also perform rhinoplasty surgery to correct the appearance of the nose.
• Conditions of the throat – disorders, and conditions that affect the throat, larynx (voice box), and the esophagus or upper aero-digestive tract can be diagnosed and treated by ENT doctors, including voice and swallowing disorders. 
• ENT-related conditions of the head and neck – ENT doctors are trained to treat infectious diseases, tumors, trauma, and deformities of the head, face, and neck. They can also manage problems with the nerves in these areas that control smelling, sight, hearing, and facial movements. In addition, they can perform cosmetic and reconstructive surgery to the head and neck area.

The procedures that ENT doctors perform include, but are not limited to:

• Tympanostomy
• Myringoplasty
• Tympanoplasty
• Stapedectomy
• Tympanomastoidectomy
• Laryngoplasty
• Esophagoscopy
• Laryngoscopy
• Microlaryngoscopy
• Septoplasty
• Nasal valve reconstruction
• Nasal fracture reduction
• Rhinoplasty
• Functional endoscopic sinus surgery
• Parotidectomy
• Neck mass biopsy
• Submandibular gland removal
• Airway reconstruction
• Tonsillectomy
• Adenoidectomy
• Thyroidectomy
• Parathyroidectomy.

How Long Should I Stay in Los Angeles?

Your length of stay depends on your condition and the type of treatment you underwent. For surgical procedures, you may need to stay in the hospital for a few days or you can leave the hospital immediately. However, it is advisable that you stay in Los Angeles for at least 2 weeks or until your ENT doctor says it is safe to travel home. This is because the change in the aircraft’s cabin pressure can cause problems with the surgical site. During your stay, you also need to attend a follow-up appointment where your doctor will remove the stitches (if necessary) and monitor your healing progress.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Your ENT doctor will give you a specific recovery timeline, including when you can resume your normal activity and return to work. In general, you need to avoid all activities that may increase blood pressure in your head area for at least 3 weeks. You also need to avoid strenuous activity for at least two weeks. 

What Aftercare is Required?

Your ENT doctor will give you instructions on how to protect the health of your ear, nose, and throat, as well as how to prevent your disease from reoccurring or complications. Make sure to follow all the instructions closely. Depending on your specific condition, you may be required to attend regular checkups. In most cases, you have the choice to have regular checkups with your local doctor at home or with your ENT doctor in Los Angeles.

What's the Success Rate?

The continuous advancement of ENT has increased the success rate of ENT procedures. While there are no general statistics for all ENT procedures, most procedures are proven to be safe and highly successful. For example, the success rate of tympanoplasty is around 90%. Risks and side effects of ENT procedures depend on the specific procedure and the health status of the patient. All surgical procedures generally carry the risk of bleeding, infection, and an adverse reaction to the anesthetic.

Are there Alternatives?

In most cases, there is no alternative to ENT when you have problems with your ear, nose, and throat. However, depending on your condition, your ENT doctor may work with or refer you to a relevant specialist.

Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) in and around Los Angeles

About Los Angeles

The city of Los Angeles, often called by its initials L.A., is the second-most populous city in the United States. It is the cultural, financial, and commercial center of Southern California. This sprawling metropolis is best known as home to Hollywood, natural beauty, and its Mediterranean climate. Near-perfect weather, clear blue skies, mountains, and sunny beaches beckon tourists from all around the globe to visit. In 2018, 50 million people visited this city, and among those visitors were medical tourists. The cost of medical treatment in the US may be rising, but with well-trained medical professionals, cutting-edge technology, world-class medical centers, and a wide range of procedures, people from all over the world still seek to get treated in Los Angeles. The city is widely known to have some of the best surgeons as well as some of the best medical centers in the world. 

Popular Areas in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has a lot to offer, and there is something to suit everyone in this beautiful city. Many people will start their travel by seeing the infamous Hollywood sign and visiting Hollywood Boulevard to enjoy the Walk of Fame. However, there is so much more in the city than Hollywood. The following are some of the top sites to see in Los Angeles.

• Venice Beach comprises a variety of artistic venues, exclusive boutiques, and surfers. It is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the sun. The much-admired Venice Breakwater is a famous local surfer spot where the waves break on both sides. Take a stroll at the Venice Boardwalk to discover the most diverse ocean front walk in the world. Here, tourists will find numerous restaurants, spas, street entertainers, artists magicians, and skaters.
• Disneyland in Anaheim is less than 30 miles from Los Angeles. It is called the “Happiest Place on Earth.” Take a day trip here and enjoy the rides, such as the Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain. In the park, tourists are encouraged to immerse themselves in the enchanting worlds of Disney stories and feel like a kid.
• Getty Center has a stellar art collection of photographs, drawings, manuscripts, and pre-20th-century European paintings. Tourists can see famous paintings such as Wheatstacks by Monet, Irises by Van Gogh, and The Abduction of Europa by Rembrandt from up-close. Besides the art, the architecture of this museum is fascinating, which was designed by Richard Meier. On clear days, tourists are able to get spectacular views of the city and ocean.
• Griffith Park is the second-largest park in the United States. It is a great place for picnics and to hang around with friends. For an incredible view of the city, follow the hiking trails that lead up to Mulholland Drive. Tourists can also enjoy the LA Zoo, The Space Observatory, and the Autry Western Museum.

Weather and Climate in Los Angeles

Los Angeles enjoys a Mediterranean climate and has plenty of sunshine throughout the year. 

• Spring months from March to May is known to be the best time to visit the city since the weather is pleasant. There will be loads of sunshine and minimal rain during this season. The average temperature is around 21 °C, but it can be much cooler near the ocean. 
• Summer comes in June and ends in August. It is also the peak tourist season, so expect the tourist areas to be crowded. Gray fog overruns the city in June, particularly in the early mornings. Generally, the weather is warm and sunny during this season, which allows tourists to enjoy the beaches. Note that the temperature can get unbearably hot inland.
• Autumn is from September to November. The weather starts to cool down, and the summer heat subsides, with the average temperature hovering around 23 °C. However, November is the start of Los Angeles’ rainy season.
• Winter is from December to February, and rain is prevalent during these months. The weather is still pleasantly mild, but it will be rainier than usual in February. 

Getting Around in Los Angeles

Los Angeles International Airport or mostly referred to as LAX is the primary international airport in the city. It serves a number of domestic and international flights to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Both major and budget airlines operate flights from the airport. JetBlue, Frontier Airlines, and Spirit Airlines are some of the low-cost carries tourists can choose for budget travel. From the airport, FlyAway bus, taxi, or car hire are available to get to the city center.

The best way to travel around Los Angeles is to hire a car, but if you want to avoid the hassle of driving, you can always hire a car and driver. Nevertheless, using public transportation is a lot more cost-effective. The city has a Metro Rail subway system, but the routes are still limited. You can purchase a pass at the self-service machines at each station. The pass is also valid for the city buses. The best alternative is to ride a public bus. The public bus travels to the entire city and charges the same fares as the metro. If you want to visit several attractions, there are a variety of sightseeing bus tours that can save you from the trouble of figuring out the public bus routes.

Taxis are available, but they can be expensive since LA is big and has bad traffic. The fares are metered and can be organized over the phone. Uber, UberX, and Lyft are popular in Los Angeles.    

Tourists Visas in Los Angeles

Visa exemption and visa waiver program are available for 42 countries, including Australia, Japan, Singapore, and Canada. Holders of passports that are not listed in the visa exemption or visa waiver agreement need to apply and obtain a visa before entering the country. The visa is generally valid for 90 days. It is advisable to visit the nearest United States Embassy to learn about the visa policy.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The official currency is the US dollar ($). It is the world’s primary reserve currency and used in most international transactions.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are widely available, and credit cards are accepted in most restaurants, hotels, and shops. Cards are required for reservations. Tipping is not optional, tip 18% to 20% in restaurants.
3. Local Language: English is the most widely spoken language, but since Los Angeles is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world, there are 223 other languages spoken. These languages include Korean, Filipino, Chinese, Armenian, and Persian.
4. Local Culture and Religion: The largest religion in Los Angeles in Roman Catholicism, followed by Judaism. Smaller groups of Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and several other religions.
5. Public Holidays: Some of the largest holidays in Los Angeles are New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.