Otolaryngologist in Knoxville

June 15, 2026

An otolaryngologist, commonly known as 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 brings medical and surgical care together in one setting, and many groups add audiology and allergy services so a patient with hearing loss, chronic sinus trouble, or sleep-disordered breathing can be evaluated and treated in the same place. Knoxville is among Tennessee’s largest cities, with a population of roughly 195,000 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), and as the medical center of East Tennessee it supports several long-established ENT groups with multiple offices across the region.

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, ranging from in-office balloon sinuplasty and ear tube placement to endoscopic sinus surgery, thyroid and parathyroid procedures, cochlear implantation, and head and neck cancer operations. 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 who work within ENT practices are licensed separately by the state, and allergy and immunotherapy services may involve additional staff and protocols.

Choosing an ENT practice in Knoxville often comes down to the conditions a patient needs treated and the support services available on site. Practices with audiology can complete a hearing evaluation during the same visit, those with an allergy clinic offer testing and immunotherapy, and groups with subspecialty-trained physicians can manage complex ear disease, cochlear implantation, balance disorders, or head and neck cancer. Several Knoxville groups operate clinics in the western and northern parts of the metro and in nearby Loudon, Sevier, and Anderson counties, which can affect convenience. 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 Knoxville

1. Ear, Nose & Throat Consultants of East Tennessee

Address: 9430 Park West Boulevard, Suite 330, Knoxville, TN 37923
Phone: (865) 693-6065
Website: https://entcet.com
Services: hearing loss treatment and audiology, sinus and nasal disorders, allergy and allergic rhinitis, head and neck surgery, thyroid and parathyroid surgery, sleep apnea therapy, balance center services, cochlear implants
Description: Ear, Nose & Throat Consultants of East Tennessee has practiced in the Knoxville region since 1976 and is one of the area’s longest-established otolaryngology groups. Its physicians include Jonathan P. Hayes, M.D., S. Mark Overholt, M.D., Nicholas J. Panella, M.D., David G. Sexton, M.D., Stephen A. Wheless, M.D., Jameson K. Mattingly, M.D., Jaron Densky, M.D., and Meade Edmunds, M.D., who together provide a full range of medical and surgical ENT care for adults and children. The practice offers subspecialty services including a balance center, cochlear implant program, thyroid and parathyroid surgery, and Inspire therapy for obstructive sleep apnea, and it supports its physicians with nine audiologists across its locations. The group operates three offices, at Park West and Fort Sanders in Knoxville and in Lenoir City, giving patients access points on both sides of the metro.

2. Greater Knoxville Ear, Nose and Throat Associates

Address: 220 Fort Sanders West Boulevard, Building 2, Suite 101, Knoxville, TN 37922
Phone: (865) 244-4396
Website: https://greaterknoxent.com
Services: sinus and nasal conditions, allergy, hearing and audiology with hearing aids, sleep apnea and snoring, ear and balance disorders, mouth and throat conditions, head and neck cancer treatment, cosmetic procedures, pediatric ENT
Description: Greater Knoxville Ear, Nose and Throat Associates is a comprehensive otolaryngology practice that treats both children and adults across the full ENT spectrum, including nose and sinus conditions, allergies, hearing and ear disorders, mouth and throat problems, sleep apnea, head and neck cancer, and cosmetic procedures. Its physicians include Leslie L. Baker, M.D., Stewart H. Bernard, M.D., Elise C. Denneny, M.D., FACS, Richard J. DePersio, M.D., FACS, William D. Horton, M.D., FACS, Sarah Kortebein, M.D., Christopher J. Rathfoot, M.D., Allan M. Rosenbaum, M.D., FACS, and Joseph White, M.D., several of whom are fellows of the American College of Surgeons. The practice supports its physicians with certified physician assistants and four audiologists who provide hearing testing and hearing aids, and it operates four locations, including offices in West Knoxville, North Knoxville (Powell), at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, and in Sevierville.

3. Farragut ENT & Allergy

Address: 144 Concord Road, Knoxville, TN 37934
Phone: (865) 777-1727
Website: https://www.farragutent.com
Services: sinus treatment and balloon sinus dilation, allergy testing and immunotherapy, ear treatments including Eustachian tube dilation and eardrum repair, audiology and hearing services, balance testing, nasal polyp treatment, sleep apnea and snoring surgery, pediatric care, facial plastic surgery, tinnitus management
Description: Farragut ENT & Allergy is an independent otolaryngology and allergy practice serving the western Knoxville area, including the Farragut and Concord communities. The practice provides comprehensive medical and surgical ENT care, including balloon sinus dilation, allergy testing and immunotherapy, in-office ear procedures such as Eustachian tube dilation and eardrum repair, nasal polyp treatment, snoring and sleep apnea surgery, tinnitus management, and facial plastic surgery. Diagnostic testing and audiology are performed in house, allowing hearing evaluations and balance testing during a visit. In addition to its main Knoxville campus, the practice maintains locations in the surrounding region, including Athens, Dowell Springs, and Sweetwater, extending its reach across East Tennessee.

Frequently Asked Questions About Otolaryngologist in Knoxville

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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville ENT practices handle hearing tests and hearing aids?

Many do. The major Knoxville ENT groups employ audiologists and operate hearing services, which lets a patient receive a hearing evaluation, diagnosis of an ear condition, and a hearing aid fitting through the same practice. Audiologists are licensed separately by the state. Because not every office offers audiology at every location, it is worth confirming on-site hearing services when scheduling if that is a priority.

Q: When should someone see an otolaryngologist rather than a primary care doctor?

Primary care physicians handle 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, balance problems, or a neck 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 Knoxville otolaryngologists commonly treat?

Otolaryngologists treat sinusitis and nasal obstruction, hearing loss and ear disease, tonsil and adenoid conditions, allergies, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, balance disorders, voice and swallowing disorders, and benign and malignant head and neck conditions. Common surgical procedures include balloon sinuplasty and endoscopic sinus surgery, ear tube placement, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, septoplasty, thyroid and parathyroid surgery, and head and neck cancer operations, with some Knoxville practices also offering cochlear implantation and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Q: Where can a patient turn with a complaint about an ENT practice in Knoxville?

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.