|
 Otolaryngology
is the medical specialty that focuses on disorders in the ear, nose, and throat.
Although many of us think of hearing loss, sinus problems, or ear infections
when we think of otolaryngology, it encompasses much more.
Otolaryngology and its allied services provide care for a wide range of disorders, including:
- hearing;
- balance;
- smell;
- taste;
- voice;
- speech;
- language.
Otolaryngologists also manage the treatment of head and neck cancers, as well as perform reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery.
One Patient's Story
When 5-year-old Eli Thurman of Conway,
who was born deaf, underwent surgery at St. John's three years ago to receive a
cochlear implant, his parents hoped he might gain enough hearing from the device
to protect himself from danger.
"He can hear a whisper," says his mom,
Stacy. "The implant gave him so much more than we expected."
At 2, Eli was the first cochlear implant
recipient in Springfield. St. John's otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat
specialist) Scott Estrem, M.D., who has been performing cochlear implants since
1987, performed Eli's surgery in 2000.
"I have to admit it was scary, Eli being the first implant
patient in the area, but it would have been scary regardless," Stacy says. "I
think the staff at St. John's Clinic - Ear, Nose & Throat went above and beyond
to make sure that everything was ..."
"Perfect," says Eli's dad, Greg, finishing
his wife's sentence. Stacy nods her head in agreement.
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