Patient Information

Procedures

The Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (ASOHNS) is an administrative membership body representing otolaryngology (ear, nose throat) head and neck surgeons. 

The Society’s staff are not medically trained and cannot provide advice on medical conditions or procedures or make referrals to specific practitioners. Please discuss any medical concerns you may have with your general practitioner (GP) initially or your treating otolaryngology head and neck (OHN) surgeon.

Your OHN surgeon will provide full information about your condition and any procedure required. For more common procedures, your surgeon may provide a patient information leaflet for you to take away with you.

ASOHNS’ members are asked to provide their areas of interest in sub-specialty areas of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery.  While most do, not all members provide this information.

If you are seeking an OHN surgeon in your area, or in a sub-specialty, you can use the Find A Surgeon facility on this website.   Please note a referral from your GP is needed before consulting an OHN surgeon.

Alternatively, you can contact the ASOHNS membership manager, either by phone (+61 2 9954 5856) or email (members@asohns.org.au), and we may be able to supply lists of member surgeons’ names, practice suburbs, states and phone and fax numbers, extracted from our database.  If required, we can supply the names and practice contact details of those who have advised their particular areas of interest.
 

Following are definitions of conditions treated, and services rendered, by OHN surgeons / specialists:

Allergy & Immunology

Diagnosing and treating allergic conditions and diseases of the immune system; treatment can be by medication, immunotherapy (allergy shots) and/or avoiding pollen, dust, mould, food and other sensitivities that affect the ear, nose and throat.  (Examples:  hay fever, seasonal and perennial rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, laryngitis, sore throat, otitis media, dizziness)

Audiology & Hearing

Evaluating, habilitating and rehabilitating patients with hearing disorders.

Facial Plastics

Cosmetic, functional and reconstructive surgery to treat abnormalities of the face and neck.  (Examples: deviated septum, rhinoplasty (nose), face lift, cleft palate, drooping eyelids, hair loss).

Head & Neck

Treating tumours, either benign or malignant, that involve any area from the salivary glands to the voice box, sinuses, the thyroid/parathyroid regions or any general neck tumours or tumours that involve the skull. (Examples: lump in the neck or thyroid, cancer of the voice box).

Laryngology & Voice

Treating disorders of the throat including voice and swallowing disorders.  (Examples: sore throat, hoarseness, swallowing disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD).

Medicolegal

Relating to legal aspects of the practice of medicine (as malpractice or patient consent for operations or patient information).

Otology & Neuro- otology

Treating ear disorders including trauma (injury), cancer and nerve pathway disorders that affect hearing and balance.  (Examples: ear infection; swimmer's ear; hearing loss; ear, face or neck pain; dizziness; ringing in the ears - tinnitus).

Outreach

May be described as "a type of social service which includes involvement in activities designed to educate participants and assist those on the margins of society".

Paediatrics

Treating children with special ENT problems including birth defects in the head and neck and developmental delays.  (Examples: ear infection - otitis media; tonsil and adenoid infection; airway problems; Down's Syndrome; asthma and allergy/sinus; birth defects surgery).

Rhinology

Treating disorders of the nose and sinuses - generally with minimally invasive techniques such as using endoscopic instruments in the nose for cleaning out sinuses. (Examples: sinus disorder; nose bleed; stuffy nose; loss of smell, septal deviation; nasal obstruction).

 

Sleep Apnoea & Snoring

Treating sleep apnoea (a condition where normal breathing pattern is disturbed during sleep) and snoring.

 

Guidelines for Otolaryngology Referral Prior to Hearing Aid Fitting

Hearing aids remain the mainstay in the management of sensorineural hearing loss and certain cases of conductive hearing loss.

There are a number of audiometric and clinical situations, which necessitates review by an Otolaryngologist prior to hearing aid fitting.

Download Guidelines for Otolaryngology Referral Prior to Hearing Aid Fitting

Reports / Submissions

Indications for Tonsillectomy and Adenotonsillectomy in Children

Download following report PDF document: ASOHNS Guideline for Tonsillectomy