Otolaryngologist in Clarksville
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June 15, 2026
An otolaryngologist, commonly called an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physician, is a medical doctor (M.D.) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) who diagnoses and treats conditions of the ears, nose, sinuses, throat, and the structures of the head and neck. An ENT practice combines medical and surgical care in one setting, and many add audiology and allergy services so a patient with hearing loss, chronic sinus disease, or sleep-disordered breathing can be evaluated and treated in the same place. Clarksville is among Tennessee’s largest cities, with a population of roughly 176,000 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), and as the hub of Montgomery County and a market that also serves nearby southern Kentucky, it supports a smaller dedicated ENT field than the state’s larger metros, anchored by established local practices.
The conditions otolaryngologists treat are broad: sinus disease and nasal obstruction, hearing loss and ear infections, tonsil and adenoid problems, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, voice and swallowing disorders, allergy, and benign or malignant conditions of the head and neck. Many ENT physicians also perform surgery, from in-office balloon sinuplasty and ear tube placement to endoscopic sinus surgery, tonsillectomy, and thyroid and parathyroid procedures. The training behind that scope is substantial: an otolaryngologist completes medical school, then a residency in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, and may add fellowship training in subspecialties such as otology and neurotology, rhinology, or facial plastic surgery.
In Tennessee, otolaryngologists are licensed and regulated by the state. Medical doctors are licensed by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners, and osteopathic physicians by the Tennessee Board of Osteopathic Examination, both under the Tennessee Department of Health. Patients can confirm that a physician holds an active, unrestricted license and review any disciplinary history through the Department of Health license verification system before scheduling care. Board certification from the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery is a separate, voluntary credential reflecting national specialty standards. Audiologists and hearing instrument specialists who work within ENT practices are licensed separately by the state, and allergy and immunotherapy services may involve additional staff and protocols.
Clarksville has a more limited number of dedicated ENT practices than Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, or Chattanooga, which is typical for a market of its size. The city is home to a small number of physician-led otolaryngology offices, and additional ENT care is also available through hospital-affiliated physicians and multispecialty groups in the area, as well as at the larger ENT centers in the Nashville metro about 45 miles to the southeast. Choosing a practice often comes down to the conditions a patient needs treated and the support services available on site, such as an in-house hearing center for audiology and hearing aids. The information here is general and educational and is not medical advice; decisions about diagnosis and treatment should be made with a licensed physician. For consumer concerns about billing or business practices, the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs administers the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), while clinical and licensing matters fall to the Tennessee Department of Health.
Top Otolaryngologist Providers in Clarksville
1. Central Tennessee Ear, Nose & Throat
Address: 787 Weatherly Drive, Suite 200, Clarksville, TN 37043
Phone: (931) 647-1255
Website: https://centraltnent.com
Services: sinus and allergy management, minimally invasive sinus surgery, hearing and balance disorders, tinnitus management, hearing aid dispensing and repair, voice disorders, head and neck cancer treatment, sleep apnea and snoring, pediatric ENT, ear tubes, tonsillectomy
Description: Central Tennessee Ear, Nose & Throat is a dedicated otolaryngology practice in Clarksville established when Dr. Randolph M. Richards moved to the city to open it in 2001. Dr. Richards is a board-certified otolaryngologist certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and he performs the practice’s surgeries and treats both children and adults across the ENT spectrum, including pediatric ENT with ear tubes and tonsillectomy, sinus disease, allergy, voice problems, and head and neck conditions. The practice supports patients with certified physician assistants, Jason Mattern, PA-C, and Cody W. Krantz, PA-C, and operates an on-site hearing center with hearing aid dispensing, programming, service, and repair handled by hearing instrument specialist Cindy Kinsler-Foust. In addition to its Clarksville office on Weatherly Drive, the practice maintains a second location in Springfield, Tennessee.
2. Northcrest Ear, Nose and Throat
Address: 661 Dunbar Cave Road, Suite 102, Clarksville, TN 37043
Phone: (931) 266-0808
Website: https://www.tristarhealth.com
Services: general otolaryngology, nasal congestion and sinus conditions, hearing loss and earaches, allergies, tonsil conditions, voice and swallowing disorders, snoring and sleep apnea, thyroid and parathyroid surgery, nasal fracture care, telehealth visits
Description: Northcrest Ear, Nose and Throat is a Clarksville otolaryngology practice led by Dr. John C. Westerkamm, a board-certified otolaryngologist affiliated with TriStar NorthCrest Medical Center. Dr. Westerkamm treats both children and adults across a wide range of ear, nose, and throat conditions, including nasal congestion and sinus problems, hearing loss and earaches, allergies, tonsil issues, voice and swallowing disorders, snoring and sleep apnea, nosebleeds, and nasal fractures, with particular experience in endocrine surgery such as thyroid and parathyroid procedures. The office, located on Dunbar Cave Road, offers telehealth visits for eligible patients in addition to in-person care, and its affiliation with TriStar NorthCrest Medical Center connects patients to hospital-based surgical resources in the Clarksville area.
Frequently Asked Questions About Otolaryngologist in Clarksville
Q: How many dedicated ENT practices are there in Clarksville?
Clarksville has a smaller dedicated otolaryngology field than Tennessee’s larger metros, with a limited number of physician-led ENT offices in the city. Additional ENT care is available through hospital-affiliated physicians and multispecialty groups in the Clarksville and Montgomery County area, and the larger ENT centers in the Nashville metro, roughly 45 miles away, are within reach for patients who need subspecialty services that are not offered locally. This directory lists the dedicated local practices that could be independently verified.
Q: What is the difference between an otolaryngologist and an ENT?
There is no difference. Otolaryngologist is the formal medical term, and ENT, short for ear, nose, and throat, is the everyday name for the same specialty, whose full title is otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. These physicians are M.D. or D.O. doctors who complete a residency in the specialty and may add fellowship training in areas such as otology, rhinology, or facial plastic surgery.
Q: How do I verify that a Clarksville ENT physician is licensed in Tennessee?
You can confirm a physician’s license through the Tennessee Department of Health license verification system. Medical doctors are licensed by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners and osteopathic physicians by the Tennessee Board of Osteopathic Examination, both under the Department of Health. The record shows whether a license is active and unrestricted and notes any disciplinary action. Board certification by the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery is a separate credential reflecting national specialty standards.
Q: Do Clarksville ENT practices handle hearing tests and hearing aids?
Yes. At least one Clarksville ENT practice operates an on-site hearing center that provides hearing testing and hearing aid dispensing, programming, service, and repair, which lets a patient receive an ear evaluation and hearing care through the same practice. Audiologists and hearing instrument specialists are licensed separately by the state. Because services vary by office, it is worth confirming on-site hearing care when scheduling if that is a priority.
Q: When should someone see an otolaryngologist rather than a primary care doctor?
Primary care physicians manage many routine ear, nose, and throat complaints, but a referral to an otolaryngologist is common for persistent or complex problems, such as chronic sinus disease, recurring ear infections, hearing loss, chronic tonsillitis, snoring and sleep apnea, voice or swallowing disorders, or a neck or thyroid mass. Because ENT physicians provide both medical and surgical treatment, they can manage conditions that may eventually require a procedure. This is general information, not medical advice; a licensed clinician should evaluate any specific symptom.
Q: What conditions and surgeries do Clarksville otolaryngologists commonly treat?
Otolaryngologists in Clarksville treat sinusitis and nasal obstruction, hearing loss and ear disease, tonsil and adenoid conditions, allergies, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, voice and swallowing disorders, and benign and malignant head and neck conditions. Common surgical procedures include minimally invasive sinus surgery, ear tube placement, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, and thyroid and parathyroid surgery. Patients who need highly specialized procedures may be referred to subspecialty centers in the Nashville metro.
Q: Where can a patient turn with a complaint about an ENT practice in Clarksville?
Concerns about a physician’s clinical care or licensing can be reported to the Tennessee Department of Health, which oversees the Board of Medical Examiners and the Board of Osteopathic Examination. Complaints about billing, advertising, or other business practices fall under the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, which administers the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104). Keeping records such as bills, appointment notes, and written communications helps support any complaint.