Ear, nose, and throat disorders

Otorhinolaryngology

At Tays, we study and treat patients who have symptoms, diseases or injuries in the area of the ears, nose, paranasal sinuses, mouth, throat, larynx or neck. The treatment is mainly provided at the outpatient clinic or over a short period in the ward. Diseases treated at the outpatient clinic include, for example, maxillary sinusitis and chronic rhinitis (cold).

Otorhinolaryngology outpatient services are available at the Tays Central Hospital, as well as the outpatient clinics of Tays Sastamala and Tays Valkeakoski Hospitals where we study and treat the following diseases, for example:

  • Nasal and paranasal sinus infections
  • Facial fractures
  • Smell and taste disorders
  • Allergic flu
  • Throat and larynx infections
  • Salivary gland diseases
  • Facial nerve disorders
  • Diseases related to ears and hearing
  • Balance disorders
  • Tumours and injuries in the head and neck area.

Ward treatment is most commonly needed in the treatment of benign tumours in parotid glands, difficult ear infections, throat infections and difficult nasal bleeding, as well as difficult dizziness symptoms.

The emergency services of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology are available at Tays Central Hospital. At the emergency services, we usually treat nasal bleeds, peritonsillary (throat) abscesses and facial bone fractures.

Tests and treatment at Tays

The Tays Central Hospital Otorhinolaryngology Outpatient Clinic performs basic tests for patients, such as nasal air flow measurements and smell tests, as well as adult hearing tests. Children's hearing tests and balance tests with machines are done at the Audiology Centre. Radiological studies and laboratory tests are done in the same building in the radiology and laboratory units.

The majority of our surgical operations are day surgeries: the patient comes for a surgery in the morning and is discharged on the same day. Day surgery operations are centralised to Tays Valkeakoski Hospital. The most advanced surgical procedures are performed at Tays Central Hospital. These procedures include, for example, advanced and difficult tumour surgeries in the head and neck area, as well as cochlear implant surgeries for deaf patients.

The most common surgeries are the following:

  • Palatine tonsil and adenoid surgeries
  • Procedures on the nose, nasal septum and maxillary sinuses
  • Hearing improvement surgeries.

Special expertise at Tays

Tays has long traditions in the surgical rehabilitation of patients with severe hearing disabilities. The first cochlear implant in Finland for a paediatric patient was implanted at Tays in 1996. Bilateral cochlear implants for new-born deaf children were began at Tays in 2007, which is three years earlier than in other university hospitals.

Persons in charge

Chief Physician Jura Numminen
Chief Physician Ilkka Kivekäs
Nursing Director Eila Tuomisto