London | Harpenden | Slough | Northwood
Telephone: +44 (0) 0207 224 6249

FAQS

Here are some common questions which we are asked.  If you have any other questions please feel free to contact us!

You can call us on +44 (0) 207 224 6249, email us on [email protected] or complete our online contact form to book an appointment.

You can also choose where you would like to book your appointment.  Our locations include:

  • 150 Harley Street, Marylebone, London W1G 7LQ
  • Spire Harpenden Hospital, Ambrose Lane, Harpenden AL5 4BP
  • 16 Devonshire street, London W1G 7AF
  • BMI Bishops Wood Hospital, Rickmansworth Rd, Northwood HA6 2JW

Yes.  Please contact us and we will arrange this for you.

We do not require a GP referral letter for you to see us privately.  However, you will need to check with you insurance company first to see if you are covered for the consultation and also to check if they require you to have a GP referral letter.

Generally, insurance companies do not cover cosmetic surgery. However, if the shape of your nose is a result of an injury or trauma and your consultant’s opinion is that reshaping of your nose will be beneficial to alleviating your breathing difficulties, then the insurance company may consider this.

Your insurance company may authorize for your septum to be straightened, and you can offer to pay an additional top-up fee covering the purely cosmetic work to be done on your nose.  They would be done at the same time and in the same procedure.

Yes.  We are specialists in treating children with ENT problems.

Snoring is very common and is not usually caused by anything serious. There are things that can help if it’s a problem for you.  Simple lifestyle changes can help stop or reduce snoring and there are a variety of treatments for snoring, both non-surgical and surgical.

Once we have assessed you we will be able to advise on the right treatment for you.

Snoring once in a while isn’t usually a serious problem. It’s mostly a nuisance for your bed partner. But if you’re a long-term snorer, you not only disrupt the sleep patterns of those close to you, you hurt your own sleep quality. Snoring can itself be a symptom of a health problem like obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a relatively common condition where the walls of the throat relax and narrow during sleep, interrupting normal breathing. This may lead to regularly interrupted sleep, which can have a big impact on quality of life and increases the risk of developing certain conditions.

About one out of every 5,000 adults experiences sudden-onset hearing loss annually, though that number could be much higher due to the number of cases that go unreported and undiagnosed. Men and women are affected equally, and the average age of first occurrence is typically mid-40s to mid-50s.

If you would like to discuss your sudden hearing loss, we offer in-person, telephone, email and video consultations.

It can be hard to tell if you’re losing your hearing. Other people may notice it before you do.Early signs of hearing loss include:

  • difficulty hearing other people clearly and misunderstanding what they say, especially in noisy places
  • asking people to repeat themselves
  • listening to music or watching TV with the volume higher than other people need
  • difficulty hearing on the phone
  • finding it hard to keep up with a conversation
  • feeling tired or stressed from having to concentrate while listening

These problems are often caused by hearing loss that can happen as you get older. This is permanent, but treatments such as hearing aids can help.

Signs of hearing loss in 1 earIt’s not always easy to tell if you’ve lost hearing in 1 ear, as you may still be able to hear with your other ear.Signs of a hearing problem in 1 ear include:

  • your hearing is worse when sound comes from 1 side
  • all sounds seem generally quieter than usual
  • finding it hard to tell where sound is coming from
  • difficulty ignoring background noise or telling different sounds apart
  • finding speech unclear
  • difficulty hearing in noisy places or over long distances

Hearing loss in 1 ear is often caused by sound temporarily being unable to pass through the ear – for example, because of earwax or an ear infection.

Vertigo is commonly caused by a problem with the way balance works in the inner ear, although it can also be caused by problems in certain parts of the brain. Causes of vertigo may include: benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), meniere’s disease, vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis, stress, anxiety, head injury and related.

Tinnitus is a challenging medical condition, but not one that cannot be successfully managed. Many patients, including many with extremely burdensome cases, have found relief through the use of tinnitus management treatments. The first step is understanding the primary cause of your tinnitus and your general hearing health.

We are here to help, contact us any time to discuss your tinnitus.

You can treat allergy symptoms with over-the-counter and prescription medications, as well as allergy shots. Lifestyle changes like using air filters and avoiding triggers are important, too.

We provide allergy tests, from testing you for specific allergies or providing a full and thorough testing of all allergens which may be affecting you.

Sinusitis is an inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses. Sinuses are hollow spaces within the bones between your eyes, behind your cheekbones, and in your forehead. They make mucus, which keeps the inside of your nose moist. That, in turn, helps protect against dust, allergens, and pollutants.

Healthy sinuses are filled with air. But when they become blocked and filled with fluid, germs can grow and cause an infection.

Common signs and symptoms of sinusitis include:
– Post nasal drip (mucus drips down the throat).
– Nasal discharge (thick yellow or green discharge from nose) or stuffy nose.
– Facial pressure (particularly around the nose, eyes, and forehead), headache and or pain in your teeth or ears.
– Halitosis (bad breath)
– Cough
– Tiredness

If you have a simple sinus infection, your doctor may recommend you use a decongestant and saline nasal washes. You shouldn’t use an over-the-counter decongestant for more than 3 days, though, because it can make you more congested.

If your doctor gives you antibiotics, you’ll probably take them for 10 to 14 days. The symptoms usually disappear with treatment.

Warm, moist air may help if you have chronic sinusitis. You can use a vaporizer, or you can inhale steam from a pan of warm water. Make sure the water isn’t too hot.

Traditional sinus surgery removes diseased or obstructive sinus tissue resulting in improved natural sinus drainage. Post-operative care is as important as the sinus surgery.

Balloon sinuplasty or sinus ostial dilation surgery is a newer method to address sinus disease. It involves expanding the natural drainage openings of the sinus passages. It is an approved, safe procedure that may be done in the operating room or office setting for some patients.

If the sinus surgery is in the operating room with general anesthesia.

Before surgery, you need to refrain from eating and drinking (including alcohol) for 8 hours before your surgery, have no fever, and have arranged for someone to bring you to, and from the hospital.

On the day of surgery, you should have all paperwork and meet the anesthesiologist, and you should only take the medication approved by the surgeon and anesthesiologist.

The surgery may take several hours.

After sinus surgery, most people can go home accompanied by a friend or relative. Rest with the head elevated is along with an icepack wrapped in a towel to stop any bleeding that commonly occurs.

Recovery may take about 3 to 5 days. Take your prescribed medications and avoid any strenuous activities until cleared to do so by the surgeon.

Follow-up care is critical for recovery; keep all appointments and follow instructions in regard removing nasal packing and especially instructions on nasal irrigation (many surgeons request patients to remain in the area for 3 weeks after surgery in case any problems develop).

Acid reflux happens when stomach acids travel back up into the food pipe, or esophagus, irritating its lining. This irritation can lead to a sore throat, a dry cough, and wheezing. It can also cause heartburn, a bitter taste in the mouth, regurgitation, indigestion, and difficulty swallowing.

Nasal polyps are soft, painless, noncancerous growths on the lining of your nasal passages or sinuses. They hang down like teardrops or grapes. They result from chronic inflammation and are associated with asthma, recurring infection, allergies, drug sensitivity or certain immune disorders.

Small nasal polyps may not cause symptoms. Larger growths or groups of nasal polyps can block your nasal passages or lead to breathing problems, a lost sense of smell and frequent infections.

Nasal polyps can affect anyone, but they’re more common in adults. Medications can often shrink or eliminate nasal polyps, but surgery is sometimes needed to remove them. Even after successful treatment, nasal polyps often return.

Nasal Obstruction is anything that restricts airflow in and out of the nose affecting one or both nasal passages. Nasal obstruction is usually caused by either swelling of the nasal tissue or an anatomical blockage which results in a narrowing of the nasal cavity and the feeling of the passages being congested.

You may need to have your tonsils removed if you’ve had tonsillitis: regularly and/or it affects your breathing, more than seven times in the last year, five times or more in each of the last two years.

Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty in swallowing. This includes problems with sucking, swallowing, drinking, chewing, eating, dribbling saliva, closing lips, or when food or drink goes down the wrong way. Early signs of dysphagia are coughing, gagging or choking while eating and drinking.

Nosebleeds usually aren’t serious. You can treat most by yourself at home by doing the following:

  • Stay calm. If you start to get nervous, it can actually make you bleed more. Try to relax.
  • Sit up, don’t lie down. Keep your head above your heart.
  • Lean a little bit forward. This keeps the blood from draining down the back of your throat.
  • Pinch your nostrils closed. Use your thumb and index finger to hold your nostrils closed for 5 to 10 minutes while you breathe through your mouth. This puts pressure on the part of your nose that’s bleeding and can make the blood stop flowing.
Once the bleeding has stopped, do not touch or blow your nose. This may start it bleeding again. But if it does restart, gently blow your nose to get rid of any blood clots. You can also spray a decongestant (seek advice first as to which one is best for you). Then pinch your nostrils shut and breathe through your mouth for 5 to 10 minutes.

Hyperthyroidism Signs and Symptoms

Common signs include:
Nervousness, anxiety, or crankiness
Mood swings
Fatigue or weakness
Sensitivity to heat
A swollen thyroid (called a goiter). You might see swelling at the base of your neck.
Losing weight suddenly, without trying
Fast or uneven heartbeat or palpitations (pounding in your heart)
Having more bowel movements
Shaking in your hands and fingers (tremor)
Sleep problems
Thinning skin
Fine, brittle hair
Changes in your menstrual cycle

If you’re an older adult, you’re more likely to have subtle symptoms like a faster heart rate or being more sensitive to warm temperatures. Or you could just feel more tired after everyday activities.

Certain medicines can mask the signs of hyperthyroidism. If you take beta-blockers to treat high blood pressure or another condition, you might not know you have it. Be sure your doctor knows about all the medications you take.

When you first get hyperthyroidism, you may feel energetic. This is because your metabolism is sped up. But over time, this increase in your metabolism can break your body down and cause you to feel tired.

Usually, hyperthyroidism develops slowly. If you’re young when you get it, the symptoms might come on suddenly.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Symptoms of hypothyroidism may be vague and can often mimic other conditions. They may include:

Changes in the menstrual cycle
Constipation
Depression
Dry hair and hair loss
Dry skin
Elevated cholesterol
Fatigue
Greater sensitivity to cold
Hoarse voice
Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling
Problems with memory
Muscle aches and stiffness
Muscle weakness
Puffy face
Slow heart rate
Swelling of the thyroid gland (goiter)
Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight
Carpal tunnel syndrome

Head and neck cancer can be hard to diagnose, because symptoms are often mild and can mimic less serious conditions such as a cold or sore throat. These symptoms include:

  • A mouth or tongue sore that does not heal.
  • A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth.
  • A persistent sore throat.
  • Hoarseness.
  • Swelling in the jaw, neck or side of the face. This may cause dentures to fit poorly.
  • Frequent sinus infections that don’t respond to antibiotics.
  • Neck pain that won’t go away.
  • Frequent headaches.
  • Pain in the upper teeth.
  • Bleeding through the nose or in the mouth, or blood in the saliva.
  • Trouble swallowing.
  • Persistent earaches.
  • Trouble breathing or speaking.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to check with your physician immediately. They may be signs of less serious conditions, but a thorough exam should be done.

Endoscopy is the insertion of a long, thin tube directly into the body to observe an internal organ or tissue in detail. It can also be used to carry out other tasks including imaging and minor surgery.

An endoscopy is not usually painful, but it can be uncomfortable. Most people only have mild discomfort, similar to indigestion or a sore throat. The procedure is usually done while you’re awake. You may be given a local anaesthetic to numb a specific area of your body.

Because modern endoscopy has relatively few risks, delivers detailed images, and is quick to carry out, it has proven incredibly useful in many areas of medicine. Today, tens of million of endoscopies are carried out each year.

A videostroboscopy procedure is a non-invasive exam of your larynx. It’s thought to be the gold standard in laryngeal examinations.

It is a state-of-the-art technique that provides a magnified, slow motion view of the vocal cords in action. It allows a team approach in which the physician and the speech- language pathologist can assess numerous vocal parameters as well as view abnormal motion and other disorders of the vocal folds.

Tympanometry refers to a test that helps in the evaluation of the proper functioning of the middle ear. The middle ear is positioned behind the eardrum, also known as the tympanic membrane.‌

The test seeks to establish the condition and movement of the tympanic membrane as it responds to changes in pressure. The test helps doctors to identify and monitor any problems with the middle ear. After the test, the doctor records the results in a graph called tympanogram.

First, the ear specialist will perform an ear examination or otoscopy using an otoscope. This helps to check if the auditory system is clean and clear and that it’s not perforated. In addition, it helps to check if there is wax or foreign objects obstructing the ear canal.‌

Next, the specialist will place a tympanometer into the ear canal. The device changes the air pressure in the ear, which generates a pure tone that detects the eardrum’s response to sounds under different pressures. The device may create loud tones as it begins to take measurements.

The test lasts for about two minutes for both ears and is carried out in the doctor’s office. It’s a safe procedure for people of all ages but may be difficult for small babies who are too young to cooperate.

For individuals having difficulties with their balance and equilibrium, videonystagmography (VNG) is a valuable diagnostic procedure that is simple and painless, and it can help more accurately determine the cause of your dizziness symptoms.

The test uses a camera to trace quick eye movements (or nystagmus) in response to certain visual cues and positional changes. This information is illuminating because there are neural pathways that connect the balance mechanism of the inner ear to the muscles of the eye. A disorder of the balance mechanism can result in quick eye movements that can only be detected with advanced optics.

In our testing, a camera attached to a pair of goggles worn by the patient records eye movement as the patient looks back and forth between designated points, tracks moving lights, and moves the head and body into different positions in a dark room.

A final portion of the test involves the insertion of cool and warm air into the ear to determine if the balance system is responding predictably to temperature stimulation. Because the hearing and balance functions of your inner ear are so closely related, we routinely administer a hearing test before VNG to assess the condition of this system.

Your ear is made up of three parts—the outer, the middle, and the inner ear. The auditory brainstem response (ABR) test tells us how the inner ear, called the cochlea, and the brain pathways for hearing are working. You may also hear it called an auditory evoked potential (AEP).

You will have electrodes put on your head to get ready for the ABR. The electrodes are stuck to your skin and connected to a computer. They record brain wave activity in response to sounds you hear through earphones. All you have to do is rest quietly or sleep during the test. You do not have to say or do anything. The person doing the test will see the results on a computer printout.

Electrocochleography is a test that evaluates the cochlea, which is the organ of hearing in the inner ear. ECOG measures electric potentials or signals in the inner ear in response to sound. The responses are picked up by electrodes in the ear canals and displayed on a computer screen.

ECoG tests measure electrical potentials generated in the cochlea, a part of the inner ear, in response to audio stimulation. During an ECoG test: A sticker electrode is placed on the forehead and foil-covered earphones are inserted into the ear canals, which are gently cleansed beforehand.