The specialty of Otolaryngology is a diverse clinical discipline that deals with disorders involving the Head & Neck region, primarily diseases afflicting the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT). In the past few decades, the specialty has grown in scope and depth, mainly fuelled by the expansion of knowledge and advances in biomedical technology. The introduction and popularisation of operating microscopes and endoscopic techniques from the late 1950s through to 1990s has enabled ENT surgeons to clearly visualise and operate on anatomical areas previously difficult to access.

The ENT surgeon is therefore a doctor who specialises in evaluating and treating patients with ear, nose (including sinuses) and throat (including voice and speech) disorders. In addition, they also manage patients with head and neck cancers as well as surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea.

Otolaryngology or ENT in Singapore had a modest beginning in the late 1920s and it took nearly 30 years before the first full-fledged Department of ENT was established in 1957 in SGH. Since its humble beginnings, the department has grown steadily in size and stature, expanding its scope and depth of services, and has contributed much to better patient care. With the setting up of the SGH ENT Centre in 2000, the department is now able to provide a wide array of services under one roof.

Today, the department offers a complete range of ENT clinical and paraclinical services and these include: Head and Neck Surgery Otology and Neuro-otology (Ear) Rhinology and Paranasal Sinuses (Nose) Laryngology and Speech (Throat, Voice and     Swallowing Disorders) Paediatric Otolaryngology (Children) Audiology (Hearing) Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Surgery Listen & Talk Programme (including Cochlear     Implant) The Tinnitus Clinic