ENT Insights and Blogs

By Dr Vyas M.N. Prasad, FRCS (ORL-HNS) Consultant Otolaryngologist & Head and Neck Surgeon, Camden Medical Centre, Singapore Voice deepening surgery — Type 3 Thyroplasty — is a permanent procedure that lowers vocal pitch by modifying the thyroid cartilage, and remains largely unknown to the patients who could benefit from it. In this post, Dr Vyas Prasad reflects on what his OneFM radio interview revealed about the scale of unmet need among men in Singapore — and answers the

By Dr Vyas M.N. Prasad, FRCS (ORL-HNS) Consultant Otolaryngologist & Head and Neck Surgeon, Camden Medical Centre, Singapore The maxillary sinuses are the largest of the four sinus pairs and the most commonly affected in sinusitis — causing cheekbone pressure, nasal blockage, and tooth pain that is frequently misattributed to dental problems. Dr Vyas Prasad explains the causes, including the underrecognised dental connection, how maxillary sinusitis is diagnosed, and when sur

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss — a rapid drop in hearing within 72 hours — is a medical emergency It originates in the inner ear, not from earwax or congestion High-dose corticosteroids within 24–48 hours of onset give the best chance of recovery Same-day specialist assessment is essential — delays reduce the likelihood of recovery Sudden hearing loss in one ear is a medical emergency. Unlike earwax or congestion, sensorineural hearing loss originates in the inner ear and

Bell's palsy causes sudden one-sided weakness affecting the eye, mouth, and cheek It is caused by inflammation of the facial nerve and affects around 20–30 per 100,000 people each year Steroids started within 72 hours significantly improve the chance of full recovery Most patients recover well with prompt treatment Bell's palsy causes sudden one-sided facial weakness — affecting the eye, mouth, and cheek on the affected side. Early treatment with steroids within 72 hours sign

Globus is the sensation of a lump or tightness in the throat with no actual obstruction Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is a common cause — and many patients have no heartburn at all This post explains why throat symptoms can occur without classic reflux signs Diagnosis and management options are outlined Laryngopharyngeal reflux causes inflammation of the throat and voice box, producing the characteristic sensation of a lump or tightness — even in patients who have no heartbu

Cholesteatoma is an abnormal collection of skin cells growing within the middle ear that, without treatment, progressively erodes surrounding structures including the hearing bones, facial nerve canal, and in rare cases the bone separating the ear from the brain. It is not cancerous but it is serious — surgery is the only treatment, and the earlier it is performed the less complex and more successful the outcome. Cholesteatoma is an abnormal growth of skin cells in the middle

By Dr Vyas M.N. Prasad, FRCS (ORL-HNS) Consultant Otolaryngologist & Head and Neck Surgeon, Camden Medical Centre, Singapore Loss of smell after COVID-19 occurs because the virus damages the supporting cells of the olfactory epithelium rather than simply blocking the nose — which is why it can persist long after the infection resolves. Smell training started early gives the best chance of recovery, and for persistent cases beyond six months, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy

The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the nose, equalising pressure and draining fluid When it fails to open, the result is blocked, muffled, or pressured ears — especially noticeable during flights or after a cold This is one of the most common ENT complaints Treatment options range from nasal sprays to balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the nose, equalising pressure and draining fluid. When

A deviated nasal septum — where the cartilage dividing the nose is off-centre — is extremely common and in most people causes no symptoms. When it causes persistent nasal obstruction affecting breathing, sleep, or exercise, surgical correction (septoplasty) performed entirely through the nostrils can provide lasting improvement and is generally claimable under Medisave in Singapore. A deviated septum is extremely common and causes no symptoms in most people When it narrows th

The most common cause of sudden spinning vertigo — particularly when triggered by rolling over in bed or looking up — is BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo), a highly treatable condition caused by displaced crystals in the inner ear. In most cases a single clinic visit and the Epley repositioning manoeuvre performed by an ENT specialist is sufficient to resolve it completely. BPPV is the most common cause of sudden spinning vertigo, particularly triggered by rolling o

Glue ear — fluid behind the eardrum causing muffled hearing — is the most common cause of hearing loss in children and often goes undetected because it is painless and children rarely complain about it. Most cases resolve on their own within three months, but persistent glue ear affecting speech, learning, or behaviour warrants specialist assessment and may require grommet insertion. Glue ear — thick fluid behind the eardrum — is the most common cause of hearing loss in child

Tinnitus (ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears) is a symptom rather than a diagnosis In many cases a treatable underlying cause can be identified by an ENT specialist Where no cause is found, sound therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy can significantly reduce its impact Assessment aims to rule out important underlying conditions before managing the symptom Tinnitus is the perception of sound — ringing, buzzing, or hissing — generated within the auditory system itself

Tonsillitis is usually viral and self-limiting, but recurrent bacterial episodes significantly affecting quality of life — typically 7 or more per year — is an indication for surgery Enlarged tonsils causing obstructive sleep apnoea in children are an equally important surgical indication Tonsillectomy resolves sleep-disordered breathing in the majority of paediatric cases This post explains the criteria for surgery and what the procedure involves The tonsils sit at the back

Salivary gland stones most commonly affect the submandibular gland, causing painful swelling at mealtimes Most stones can now be removed through the natural duct using sialendoscopy — a minimally invasive technique requiring no external incision Open surgery is no longer necessary in the majority of cases This post explains the different glands affected, symptoms, and what treatment involves The parotid gland sits in front of and below the ear, while the submandibular gland s

Most neck lumps in adults are benign reactive lymph nodes that resolve within a few weeks A lump that persists beyond 2–3 weeks, is growing, or is accompanied by voice change, swallowing difficulty, or weight loss warrants specialist assessment The neck contains hundreds of lymph nodes, the thyroid gland, and major vessels — all of which can produce lumps Early assessment is key to ruling out serious causes The neck contains hundreds of lymph nodes, major blood vessels, the t

Voice deepening surgery — Type 3 thyroplasty — lowers the fundamental frequency of the voice by shortening and relaxing the vocal cords through a small external neck incision under local anaesthetic, allowing the patient to provide feedback throughout the procedure. It is an established and effective option for transgender men and others seeking permanent voice masculinisation when voice therapy alone has not achieved the desired result. Type 3 Thyroplasty lowers vocal pitch

By Dr Vyas M.N. Prasad, FRCS (ORL-HNS) Consultant Otolaryngologist & Head and Neck Surgeon — Absolute ENT, Camden Medical Centre, Singapore Snoring is extremely common, but it is not always harmless. When snoring is accompanied by pauses in breathing, unrefreshing sleep, or significant daytime fatigue, it may indicate obstructive sleep apnoea — a condition where the upper airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, reducing blood oxygen and placing long-term strain on the cardi

Non-organic hearing loss in children — where a child presents with apparent hearing difficulty but objective testing is normal — is more common than many parents expect It is not the same as "making it up"; it often reflects school, social, or emotional pressures that manifest as a physical complaint Proper assessment requires a careful, non-judgemental approach that considers the child's wider environment alongside the clinical findings With the right support, most children

Feeding difficulties in newborns and infants are one of the most stressful experiences for new parents — and one of the most common reasons for early paediatric ENT referral. Tongue tie is the most widely discussed cause, but it is far from the only one. Laryngomalacia, gastro-oesophageal reflux, and airway conditions all require assessment by a specialist with experience in paediatric swallowing and airway conditions before a treatment decision is made. Feeding difficulties