ENT Insights and Blogs

A while ago I was invited onto OneFM's Nights with Simon Lim to talk about voice deepening surgery — a procedure that most people, including many in the medical community, don't know exists. Listen to the OneFM interview: Nights with Simon Lim — Voice Deepening Surgery featuring Dr Vyas Prasad

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 surgery is the right next step.

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss — a rapid, unexplained deterioration in hearing in one ear — is one of the few genuine ENT emergencies. Unlike many conditions where a wait-and-see approach is reasonable, sudden hearing loss requires same-day assessment and treatment. The evidence is clear: the sooner treatment begins, the better the chance of meaningful recovery. Delays of even a few days significantly worsen outcomes.

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.

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 injected directly into the olfactory niche is available at Absolute ENT, Singapore.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tinnitus — ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears — is a symptom rather than a diagnosis, and in many cases a treatable underlying cause can be identified. Assessment by an ENT specialist aims to find and treat that cause, and where none is found, effective management strategies including sound therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy can significantly reduce its impact on daily life.

Tonsillitis is most commonly viral and self-limiting, but recurrent bacterial tonsillitis significantly affecting quality of life — typically seven or more episodes in a year — is a recognised indication for tonsillectomy. In children, enlarged tonsils causing obstructive sleep apnoea are an equally important reason for surgery, which resolves sleep-disordered breathing in the majority of cases.

The salivary glands are among the least-discussed structures in the head and neck — until something goes wrong with them. A painful swelling under the jaw at mealtimes, a lump in front of the ear, or a persistently dry mouth can all point to a salivary gland problem. Most of the time these conditions are benign and highly treatable, but they do require accurate diagnosis to ensure the right treatment is chosen.

The majority of neck lumps in adults are benign — most are reactive lymph nodes responding to infection that resolve within a few weeks. However, a lump that persists beyond two to three weeks, is growing, or is accompanied by voice change, difficulty swallowing, or unexplained weight loss should be assessed promptly by an ENT specialist.

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.

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 cardiovascular system. ENT assessment identifies where and why the airway is obstructing, and guides treatment that is matched to the underlying

Parents who bring a child to an ENT clinic with hearing concerns are usually expecting one of two outcomes: either a diagnosis of glue ear, hearing loss, or another treatable condition — or reassurance that everything is normal. What they are rarely prepared for is a more nuanced finding: that the hearing pathway appears to be functioning normally, yet the child's responses to sound are inconsistent or suggest reduced hearing.

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 mad