If you have typical cold symptoms (like a runny nose and congestion) that start to improve within a week, it’s likely just a viral cold and will resolve on its own. However, signs that a sinus infection may need medical attention include symptoms lasting longer than 10 days without improvement, or symptoms that were getting better but then worsen again, which could indicate a secondary bacterial infection. Severe symptoms – such as intense facial pain and pressure, high fever (over ~38°C), or very thick yellow/green nasal discharge – are also red flags. These suggest it’s time to see a doctor. At AudioCare, we can examine your nasal passages and, if needed, perform a sinus evaluation to determine if you require treatment like antibiotics or a nasal spray. If it’s a mild case, we might recommend supportive care at home (like saline rinses, steam inhalation and decongestants) and watching for improvement. But if your sinus pain is really debilitating, disrupting your sleep, or accompanied by things like blurred vision or swelling around the eyes, you should seek care promptly. Our ENT specialist will distinguish between a stubborn cold and a true sinus infection, so you get the right treatment and relief.

Most sore throats, including tonsillitis, are caused by common viruses and tend to get better within a week on their own. You don’t need to rush to a doctor for every tickle in the throat. However, you should seek medical advice if your sore throat is extremely painful, lasts longer than about a week, or keeps coming back repeatedly. Warning signs include: difficulty swallowing or opening your mouth, a fever over 38°C that isn’t coming down, swollen tonsils with white patches (which could indicate a bacterial infection like strep), or any time you’re so unwell that you’re dehydrated or very fatigued. Also, if you feel a lump in your neck or have one tonsil much more swollen than the other, those are reasons to get checked. At AudioCare, we can perform a quick evaluation – including a throat examination and possibly a strep test – to see if it’s a bacterial tonsillitis that might need antibiotics. We’ll also look for complications like a peritonsillar abscess (a pocket of pus next to a tonsil, which causes severe one-sided throat pain and difficulty swallowing). If you or a loved one (especially in the case of children) experiences any breathing difficulty, drooling, or a “hot potato” muffled voice, that’s urgent and you should seek immediate care. In summary, if a throat infection is unusually severe, not improving, or frequently recurring, it’s time to let our ENT specialist assess it. We’ll ensure you get the proper treatment – whether it’s medication or, in very stubborn recurrent cases, a discussion about whether a tonsillectomy is an option – to put an end to your worries.

Yes, absolutely – ear, nose and throat issues often connect to hearing. For example, a middle-ear infection can cause a temporary hearing loss in the affected ear. This happens because fluid builds up behind the eardrum and dampens its movement, so sounds become muffled. The good news is that once the infection clears and the fluid drains (or is removed), your hearing usually returns to normal. Similarly, chronic sinus congestion or allergic rhinitis can lead to blockage of the Eustachian tubes (the small passageways that equalise ear pressure). When these tubes get clogged from inflammation or mucus, you might feel fullness in the ears and notice your hearing is dulled or that sounds are “far away.” Treating the nasal congestion – for instance with decongestant sprays or allergy medications – often lets the ears pop open and hearing improves. Even wax build-up (which is more of an ear issue) can cause noticeable hearing loss, especially in older people or hearing aid users, and removing the wax will immediately help. At AudioCare, our specialist always checks if your hearing is being affected by an ENT condition. We might do a quick hearing test or use an otoscope to see your eardrum. The important thing is that most hearing changes from infections or congestion are temporary. Once we treat the underlying problem (be it an infection, allergy, or blockage), your hearing should bounce back. We’ll also ensure there isn’t another cause for any hearing loss. If we clear your ears and treat your sinus issues but you still have difficulty hearing, we can then investigate further or offer audiological solutions. In summary, ENT problems can cause muffled hearing, but with proper care this is usually reversible – and we’ll guide you through that process so you can hear clearly again.

AudioCare offers a comprehensive range of treatments for ear, nose and throat issues, all delivered with a gentle touch. After diagnosing your condition, our ENT specialist will recommend the appropriate management tailored to you. We can prescribe medications such as antibiotics for bacterial infections (for example, a confirmed bacterial sinusitis or tonsillitis), or antiviral and antifungal treatments where appropriate. We also frequently use topical treatments: for nasal issues, this may include nasal corticosteroid sprays or antihistamine sprays to reduce inflammation and congestion; for ear problems, we have eardrops to treat infections or soften wax. If you’re dealing with an allergy-based condition, we can provide modern, non-drowsy antihistamine tablets and advise on preventative measures. Many treatments are simple in-office procedures – for instance, if you have impacted earwax causing discomfort, we offer professional ear wax removal (using microsuction or other safe methods) right here at the clinic. This instantly relieves blockages and improves hearing. For nasal congestion issues, we can perform a gentle nasal endoscopy to suction out thick mucus or examine the sinuses, which not only helps relieve pressure but also obtains samples for culture if needed. In cases of recurrent sinus infections or chronic nasal polyps, we work with you on long-term management plans, including medication regimens and referrals for surgery if needed. Another service we provide is allergy testing coordination – if we suspect your ENT symptoms are allergy-driven, we can arrange skin prick or blood tests to identify triggers and then offer treatments like immunotherapy in collaboration with allergy specialists. We also take care of follow-up and rehabilitation: for example, after an ear infection, we can test your hearing to ensure it’s back to normal. Or if you’ve had surgery elsewhere (say, sinus surgery or a septoplasty), we can handle the aftercare, like removing nasal packs or monitoring the healing. Essentially, AudioCare is equipped to manage most ENT conditions medically right in our clinic. And for those issues that do require an operation or specialised intervention, we will refer you to a trusted ENT surgeon and work closely to support you before and after that treatment. Our aim is that you won’t have to bounce around different providers – we strive to be your one-stop solution for ENT care, coordinating everything from diagnosis to treatment and ongoing care.

In many cases, no – surgery is often a last resort after we’ve tried other treatments. Most common ENT conditions (like sinusitis, ear infections, and sore throats) can be successfully treated with medications, lifestyle changes and minimally invasive procedures. For example, a deviated septum can sometimes be managed in the short term with nasal sprays to reduce swelling, and chronic tonsillitis can often be controlled with prompt antibiotics and preventive measures. We only consider referring you for surgery if it’s truly necessary – such as if you have a structural problem or a condition that simply doesn’t improve with conservative care. Situations where surgery might be recommended include a severely deviated nasal septum that is causing constant breathing difficulty or sinus infections (since only an operation can physically straighten the septum), recurrent tonsillitis (if you’re getting tonsil infections many times a year and they’re impacting your well-being), or chronic sinusitis with polyps that hasn’t responded to medicine. If that point comes, the team at AudioCare will have a thorough discussion with you. We’ll explain what the surgical option involves, the benefits and risks, and answer all your questions to help you make an informed decision. Importantly, we will also facilitate a referral to an excellent ENT surgeon and ensure that you feel supported throughout the process. If you do undergo surgery (for instance, a septoplasty or a tonsillectomy), we’re here for your pre- and post-operative care – that means helping you prepare (e.g. adjusting any medications beforehand, explaining the procedure) and doing follow-up checks after surgery to monitor healing and handle any concerns. We understand that the idea of surgery can be daunting, especially for older patients or those living abroad without family nearby, which is why we take extra care to provide guidance and reassurance. Remember, our primary goal is to get you well without surgery if at all possible. We exhaust all effective non-surgical treatments first. In fact, many of our patients find significant relief through medication plans, therapy and lifestyle tweaks alone. But if an operation ultimately is the best path, you’ll be in capable hands – and we’ll be with you every step of the way, ensuring continuity of care. In short, you will only need surgery if there’s no better alternative, and we’ll make sure that decision is clear, comfortable and leads to the best outcome for your health.