ENT Insights and Blogs

Earwax only requires removal when it is causing symptoms such as blocked hearing, tinnitus, earache, or dizziness. Microsuction — performed under direct visualisation using a microscope or endoscope — is the safest method of earwax removal and is significantly safer than ear syringing, particularly for patients with a history of ear surgery or perforated eardrum. Earwax only requires removal when causing symptoms such as blocked hearing, tinnitus, earache, or dizziness Micros

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

ENT problems in children can be subtle and are often mistaken for other issues Common conditions include glue ear, enlarged tonsils and adenoids, recurrent ear infections, and speech delay related to hearing This post helps parents understand which signs warrant an ENT assessment Written from the perspective of a consultant with both clinical and personal experience as a parent By Dr Vyas M.N. Prasad, FRCS (ORL-HNS) — Consultant Otolaryngologist & Head and Neck Surgeon, Camde

Acid reflux does not always cause heartburn — many patients experience it purely as throat symptoms LPR (laryngopharyngeal reflux) can cause persistent throat clearing, hoarseness, a lump sensation, or chronic cough with no chest symptoms An ENT specialist rather than a gastroenterologist is often better placed to identify and manage this presentation This post explains the difference between classic reflux and the throat-only variant By Dr Vyas M.N. Prasad, FRCS (ORL-HNS) —

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

Hearing loss in children — whether present from birth or acquired — requires early identification and management to support speech, language, and educational development. The causes range from glue ear and recurrent ear infections to sensorineural hearing loss, and a specialist paediatric ENT assessment with audiometry is the essential first step in establishing the diagnosis and appropriate management plan. By Dr Vyas M.N. Prasad, FRCS (ORL-HNS) — Consultant Otolaryngologist

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

By Dr Vyas M.N. Prasad, FRCS (ORL-HNS) — Consultant Otolaryngologist & Head and Neck Surgeon, Camden Medical Centre, Singapore Laryngopharyngeal reflux — where stomach contents reach the throat and voice box — frequently occurs without heartburn, which is why it is so often missed or misdiagnosed. The characteristic symptoms are throat clearing, chronic cough, globus sensation, and hoarseness rather than the burning chest discomfort of typical gastro-oesophageal reflux, and t

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

Thyroid cancer is one of the most treatable cancers when identified early, and surgery — thyroidectomy — is the primary treatment for most types. The key surgical considerations are complete removal of the affected tissue, preservation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve controlling voice, and protection of the parathyroid glands regulating calcium — all areas where subspecialty ENT head and neck surgical expertise makes a significant difference to outcomes. Thyroid cancer is on

There are four main types of thyroid cancer — papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic — each with different biological behaviour, treatment approach, and prognosis. Papillary thyroid cancer, the most common type, has an excellent long-term prognosis with appropriate surgical and radioiodine treatment, while anaplastic thyroid cancer is rare but aggressive and requires urgent multidisciplinary management. There are four main types of thyroid cancer: papillary, follicu

By Dr Vyas M.N. Prasad, FRCS (ORL-HNS) — Consultant Otolaryngologist & Head and Neck Surgeon, Camden Medical Centre, Singapore Neurolaryngology is the subspecialty concerned with voice and swallowing disorders caused by neurological conditions — including vocal cord paralysis, spasmodic dysphonia, vocal tremor, and voice changes associated with Parkinson's disease or stroke. Accurate diagnosis requires direct visualisation of the vocal cords alongside a detailed assessment of

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

By Dr Vyas M.N. Prasad, FRCS (ORL-HNS) — Consultant Otolaryngologist & Head and Neck Surgeon, Camden Medical Centre, Singapore Tonsil stones — calcified debris accumulating in the crypts of the tonsils — cause persistent bad breath and a foreign body sensation in the throat that can be difficult to manage at home. For patients with recurrent, symptomatic tonsil stones that do not respond to irrigation or conservative measures, tonsillectomy provides a definitive and permanent

Persistent smell loss — particularly following COVID-19 — occurs because the olfactory receptor neurons are damaged rather than simply blocked, meaning decongestants and nasal sprays are not sufficient. At Absolute ENT in Singapore, Dr Vyas Prasad offers a structured treatment approach including olfactory retraining and Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injection directly into the olfactory niche for patients who have not recovered after six months. Anosmia (loss of smell) has many

Thyroid surgery — thyroidectomy — is recommended for thyroid nodules that are malignant or suspicious on biopsy, significantly enlarged goitres causing compression symptoms, or hyperthyroidism not controlled by medication. Performed by an experienced ENT head and neck surgeon, the risks to the recurrent laryngeal nerve and parathyroid glands are minimised, and most patients are discharged within one to two days. Thyroid surgery is one of the most commonly performed operations