General ENT Care
25+ years ENT experience
Belgium Fellowship Trained
French Speaking
500+ Google reviews
Comprehensive ear, nose and throat care for adults and children in Orchard, Singapore.
General ENT Care
Not every ENT concern requires a subspecialist. Ear infections, hearing difficulties, tonsil problems, vertigo, earwax — these are the everyday conditions that affect people of all ages, and they deserve the same careful, thorough assessment as more complex surgical cases.
Dr Vyas Prasad provides general ENT care for adults and children alongside his subspecialty work in voice, thyroid, and head and neck surgery. Patients are seen at Camden Medical Centre in Orchard, with prompt appointment availability and in-clinic diagnostic equipment to support same-visit assessment.
Ear Conditions
Ear Infections (Otitis Media & Otitis Externa)
Middle ear infections (otitis media) are common in children but also affect adults, causing ear pain, a blocked sensation, muffled hearing, and sometimes fever. Outer ear infections (otitis externa, or 'swimmer's ear') cause pain, itching, and discharge from the ear canal. Both are assessed with otoscopy and managed with appropriate medication — antibiotics, ear drops, or both depending on the type and severity.
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss may be sudden or gradual, and may affect one or both ears. Causes range from earwax blockage and middle ear fluid to sensorineural hearing loss from noise exposure, ageing (presbyacusis), or viral illness. Assessment includes otoscopy, tuning fork tests, and formal audiometry. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a medical emergency requiring prompt treatment — do not wait.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus — a ringing, buzzing, hissing, or humming sound in the ears or head — affects a significant proportion of adults and can be highly distressing when persistent. Assessment aims to identify any treatable underlying cause (such as earwax, middle ear fluid, or hearing loss) and to guide appropriate management, which may include sound therapy, lifestyle advice, or onward referral to specialist tinnitus services.
Earwax (Cerumen) Impaction
Accumulated earwax can cause a blocked sensation, dulled hearing, tinnitus, and earache. Microsuction — performed under direct visualisation with a microscope — is the safest and most effective method of earwax removal and is offered in clinic. Cotton buds push wax deeper and should not be used for wax removal.
Vertigo & Dizziness
Vertigo — a spinning sensation triggered by head movement — is most commonly caused by benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), in which displaced calcium crystals in the inner ear trigger abnormal signals to the brain. It is highly treatable with a repositioning manoeuvre performed in clinic. Other causes of vertigo include vestibular neuritis, Meniere's disease, and central causes requiring further investigation.
Glue Ear (Otitis Media with Effusion)
Glue ear is a build-up of thick, sticky fluid behind the eardrum, causing muffled hearing and a feeling of fullness. Particularly common in children, it often resolves spontaneously over three months but may require grommet insertion when persistent and affecting hearing, speech, or school performance.
Nose & Throat Conditions
Tonsillitis & Recurrent Sore Throats
Acute tonsillitis causes a severely sore throat, fever, difficulty swallowing, and swollen neck glands. Most episodes are viral and self-limiting, though bacterial tonsillitis may require antibiotics. Tonsillectomy is considered for patients with frequent, recurrent episodes — typically defined as seven or more episodes in one year, five per year for two years, or three per year for three years — significantly impairing quality of life.
Adenoid Problems
Enlarged adenoids can cause nasal obstruction, mouth breathing, snoring, and recurrent ear infections in children. Adenoidectomy — surgical removal of the adenoids — is often performed alongside grommet insertion or tonsillectomy when indicated.
Epistaxis (Nosebleeds)
Recurrent or heavy nosebleeds warrant ENT assessment to identify the bleeding point and treat it appropriately. Most nosebleeds originate from a small cluster of blood vessels on the nasal septum (Little's area) and respond well to cauterisation in clinic. Less commonly, nosebleeds reflect systemic causes or lesions higher in the nasal cavity requiring further investigation.
Throat Discomfort & Globus
A persistent feeling of something stuck in the throat — without any structural obstruction — is known as globus pharyngeus. It is a very common complaint and is often associated with laryngopharyngeal reflux, muscle tension, or anxiety. Assessment including flexible laryngoscopy is important to exclude a structural cause before attributing symptoms to a functional diagnosis.
What to Expect at a General ENT Consultation
A general ENT consultation at Dr Prasad's clinic is thorough and unhurried. Assessment typically includes:
- A detailed clinical history of your symptoms and their impact on daily life
- examination of the ears with an otoscope or microscope
- examination of the nose, throat, and neck
- flexible nasolaryngoscopy where indicated — a quick, well-tolerated in-clinic camera examination of the nasal passages, throat, and voice box
- hearing assessment (tuning fork tests) or referral for formal audiometry where hearing loss is a concern
Most patients receive a clear explanation of their findings and a management plan at the same visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to see an ENT specialist in Singapore?
No — you can self-refer to Dr Prasad's clinic directly. Many patients come without a GP referral. If you have been referred by your GP or another specialist, please bring the referral letter and any relevant investigation results to your appointment.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
Appointments are generally available within a few days. For urgent concerns — such as sudden hearing loss, a rapidly growing neck lump, or severe throat symptoms — please contact the clinic directly and the team will do their best to accommodate you promptly.
What is the difference between an ENT specialist and an ENT surgeon?
All ENT specialists in Singapore are medically trained doctors who have completed specialist training in otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat medicine and surgery). The term 'ENT surgeon' reflects that the specialty encompasses both medical and surgical management. Dr Prasad is a Consultant Otolaryngologist and Head & Neck Surgeon — trained in the full breadth of ENT, with additional subspecialty expertise in voice, thyroid, and head and neck surgery.
Is microsuction safe for earwax removal?
Yes — microsuction is considered the safest method of earwax removal available. It is performed under direct visualisation using a microscope and a fine suction device, with no water introduced into the ear canal. It is safe for patients with a history of ear surgery, perforated eardrum, or recurrent ear infections, and is significantly safer than ear syringing.
When should I see an ENT rather than a GP for ear, nose or throat symptoms?
A GP is the right first step for most acute ENT conditions — ear infections, sore throats, and colds. Consider an ENT specialist when symptoms persist beyond the expected timeframe, recur frequently, do not respond to treatment, or when specialist investigation such as laryngoscopy or formal audiometry is needed. Certain symptoms — sudden hearing loss, a persistent neck lump, or hoarseness lasting more than two to three weeks — warrant prompt ENT assessment directly.
Dr Vyas Prasad consults at Camden Medical Centre, 1 Orchard Boulevard, #09-08, Singapore. Contact the clinic by WhatsApp or phone to arrange an appointment.
