Otolaryngologist in Nashville

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. Unlike a primary care visit that may end with a referral, an ENT practice combines medical and surgical care in one setting, often pairing physicians with audiologists and allergy staff so that a patient with hearing loss, chronic sinus disease, or sleep-disordered breathing can be evaluated and treated under one roof. Nashville is Tennessee’s largest city, with a population of roughly 715,000 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), and its size supports several long-established ENT groups along with hospital-affiliated practices.

ENT physicians address a broad range of conditions: 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 also perform surgery, from in-office balloon sinuplasty and ear tube placement to endoscopic sinus surgery, thyroid and parathyroid procedures, and head and neck cancer operations. Because the field spans medicine and surgery, training is extensive: an otolaryngologist completes medical school followed by a residency in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, and many pursue additional fellowship training in subspecialties such as otology and neurotology, rhinology, or facial plastic surgery.

In Tennessee, physicians who practice as 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 of which operate under the Tennessee Department of Health. Consumers 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, a separate credential awarded by the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, indicates that a physician has met national standards in the specialty. Audiologists who work within ENT practices are separately licensed by the state, and allergy and immunotherapy services may involve additional staff and protocols.

Choosing an ENT practice in Nashville often comes down to the conditions a patient needs treated and the support services available on site. Practices that include audiology can complete a hearing evaluation during the same visit, those with an allergy clinic can offer testing and immunotherapy, and groups with subspecialty-trained physicians can manage complex ear disease, cochlear implantation, or head and neck cancer. The information here is general and educational and is not medical advice; decisions about diagnosis and treatment should be made in consultation with a licensed physician. For consumer questions 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 concerns are handled by the Tennessee Department of Health.

Top Otolaryngologist Providers in Nashville

1. Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee

Address: 410 42nd Avenue North, Suite 200, Nashville, TN 37209
Phone: (615) 340-4000
Website: https://www.oatenn.com
Services: sinus and nasal care, allergy clinic and immunotherapy, audiology and hearing aids, vestibular and balance treatment, otology and neurotology, cochlear implant program, pediatric ENT, head and neck care, throat care, cancer treatment
Description: Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee (OAT) is an independently run ENT and allergy group serving Middle Tennessee, with a heritage the practice describes as spanning nearly a century. Its physician roster includes Jerrall P. Crook Jr., M.D., Mark A. Deaton, M.D., Christopher A. Mantle, M.D., Daniel N. Sacks, M.D., Daniel D. Viner, M.D., Charles T. Wright, M.D., Jessica Howell, M.D., William B. Clinkscales, M.D., Andrew Maroda, M.D., and Charles Babb, M.D. Several physicians carry subspecialty focus; Dr. Clinkscales practices otology and neurotology, treating hearing loss, cholesteatoma, vertigo, acoustic neuromas, and facial nerve disorders, and Dr. Babb focuses on ear disease and cochlear implantation. The practice supports its physicians with on-site audiology, a dedicated allergy clinic with shot-room hours, and nurse practitioners and physician assistants, and it operates offices and hearing centers in Nashville and Franklin.

2. Heritage Medical Associates Ear, Nose & Throat

Address: 222 22nd Avenue North, 5th Floor, Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: (629) 255-3469
Website: https://www.heritagemedical.com
Services: medical and surgical ENT care, sinus surgery with image guidance, in-office treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, hearing restoration and audiology, head and neck care
Description: Heritage Medical Associates is a large multispecialty physician group in the Nashville area, and its ear, nose, and throat division provides medical and surgical treatment for diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. The ENT physicians, Todd Huber, M.D., and Kristin Stevens, M.D., offer advanced techniques including image guidance for sinus surgery, in-office management of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, and hearing restoration technology. The department is supported by audiologists Victoria Costa and Sara Miers, who provide comprehensive hearing exams. ENT care is delivered across several Heritage locations, including the 222 Medical Office Building and Saint Thomas West office in Nashville, the Westgate office in Brentwood, and a Mt. Juliet office, giving patients multiple points of access across the metro.

3. Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Address: 1215 21st Avenue South, Suite 7209, Nashville, TN 37232
Phone: (615) 936-5000
Website: https://www.vanderbilthealth.com/service-line/otolaryngology
Services: general ENT, sinus and nasal disorders, otology and neurotology, hearing and audiology, cochlear implants, head and neck oncology and surgery, laryngology and voice, sleep surgery, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, pediatric otolaryngology, allergy
Description: The Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center houses Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, an academic practice that offers comprehensive care for the full spectrum of ear, nose, and throat disorders. As an academic medical center, Vanderbilt provides subspecialty divisions covering otology and neurotology, rhinology and sinus disease, head and neck surgical oncology, laryngology, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, and pediatric otolaryngology, along with audiology and a cochlear implant program. The center sees patients at its main Nashville campus and at clinics in the surrounding region, including Franklin and Lebanon, which the program notes offer same-day appointments. Its combination of academic faculty, subspecialty depth, and on-site diagnostics makes it a referral destination for complex ear, sinus, voice, and head and neck conditions in Middle Tennessee.

Frequently Asked Questions About Otolaryngologist in Nashville

Q: What is the difference between an otolaryngologist and an ENT?

There is no difference. Otolaryngologist is the formal medical term for a physician who specializes in conditions of the ear, nose, throat, and head and neck, and ENT is the everyday shorthand for the same specialty. The full name of the field 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 Nashville 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 verification 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, voluntary credential that reflects national specialty standards.

Q: Do ENT practices in Nashville handle hearing tests and hearing aids?

Many do. Several Nashville ENT groups employ audiologists on staff and operate hearing centers, which allows a patient to 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. If hearing care is a priority, it is worth confirming that a practice has on-site audiology before scheduling, since not every office offers it at every location.

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 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 Nashville otolaryngologists commonly treat?

Otolaryngologists 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. On the surgical side, common procedures include balloon sinuplasty and endoscopic sinus surgery, ear tube placement, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, septoplasty for a deviated septum, thyroid and parathyroid surgery, and head and neck cancer operations. Some practices also offer cochlear implantation and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

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

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.