Neurologists vs. Neurotologists
Neurologists and neurotologists are frequently confused because they sound very similar but they are not the same type of doctor.
Dr. Mark Syms, Neurotologist
To understand the difference between neurologists and neurotologists, it’s helpful to know what an otolaryngologist is. An otolaryngologist is an ear, nose, throat (ENT) doctor. These doctors go to medical school and complete their residency before they are qualified to treat problems with the ears, nose, and throat.
Neurotologists (also known as otologists) are otolaryngologists but they receive additional training. They specialize in the ear and how it connects to the brain. A neurotologist provides care specifically for the “E” of ENT. Typically, patients see a neurotologist after they have already been seen by a primary care physician or an otolaryngologist but further diagnostics are necessary.
Neurologists complete several years of additional training after medical school focusing on the brain and the nervous system. They specialize in the evaluation and treatment of nerve and brain disorders. They cannot perform surgery but can recommend it.
At Arizona Hearing Center, we have Dr. Mark Syms who is a neurotologist. He is Board Certified on Neurotology and Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.
Have more questions about neurotology? Contact our office at 602-307-9919 and we’d be happy to answer any of your questions.
My wife has been bedridden for the last 14 months. She has a terrible pain in the right side of her head accompanied by severe vertigo. She has been to 9 specialists, three neurologists, had three MRI’s and just had a cisternogram and is being called negative for CFS leak. Her primary neurologist said he played all of his cards except for seeing an otolaryngologist. We are at the end of our rope! She also woke up 14months ago with partial paralysis of her vocal cords. The ENT we saw scoped her throat and could only say they were paralyzed but said she had no idea why!
Any ideas or advice?
I have been suffering
from pulsitile tennitius for 3 months. Other symptoms include pain in my neck and tremors throughout my body. I have seen an ENT who had a MRA done but nothing wrong was noticed. What do you recommend as a next step.