What Is the Difference Between an Otologist & an Otolaryngologist?

Otologists and otolaryngologists are physicians who care for diseases and disorders of the ear. The scope of care is different between the specialties, as is the length and type of training necessary to become an otologist or otolaryngologist. Some diseases and disorders are best handled by either an otologist or otolaryngologist.

Specialty

• An otolaryngologist, also called an ear-nose-throat doctor, or ENT, specializes in disorders of the ear, nose, throat, head and neck. Otolaryngologists see a diverse number of disorders in practice, since the scope of their specialty is large. Otologists specialize in disorders of the ear only, so the scope of their specialty is narrow.

Training

• Both otologists and otolaryngologists must complete four years of college followed by medical school. Both must complete a year of general surgery followed by four years of an otolaryngology residency. Both otologists and otolaryngologists must pass the American Board of Otolaryngology examination to practice. An otologist follows this education by completing an additional two years of training just in otology to become an otologist.

Diseases Treated

• Otologists specialize in ear disorders involving hearing and balance. They might remove tumors in the ear or treat swimmer's ear and tinnitus. An otolaryngologist treats disorders of the ear as well as nose disorders (such as allergies and sinus diseases), throat disorders (such as voice box diseases and tumors) and general head and neck disorders.

History

• In the 1800s, otolaryngology grew as a specialty of medicine in the United States. In 1903, otolaryngologists formed the American Academy of Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology with ophthalmologists. By 1938, otology branched off as a specialty due to Dr. Julius Lempert and his advances in the treatment of otosclerosis.

Differences in Experience

• Since otologists specialize in treating the ear only, they are more frequently exposed to ear disorders and therefore will have more experience treating rare and serious ear diseases than an otolaryngologist will.