
Dr. Brittany Howard, MD

As part of the Phoenix Metro, residents of Scottsdale have access to several large healthcare systems. With six hospitals and 70 primary and specialty care clinics in the area, HonorHealth is one of the largest healthcare systems with several facilities in Scottsdale. Banner Behavioral Health Hospital offers residents treatment in both inpatient and outpatient settings for mental health services. The nearest children’s hospitals are Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Los Ninos Hospital.
Within ten miles of Scottsdale are some of the Phoenix metro’s best hospitals, including Mayo Clinic-Phoenix, making the U.S. News Best Hospitals Honor Roll at #18. Mayo Clinic-Phoenix nationally ranks in 10 adult specialties, including:
U.S. News rates HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center as high performing in seven procedures and conditions, including:
An otolaryngologist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats conditions of the ear, nose, and throat. They’re also known as an ENT doctor. Otolaryngologists are also surgeons, which means they perform operations to help people treat conditions such as hearing loss, tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and more.
What conditions do otolaryngologists treat?
ENT doctors treat several different medical conditions, including:
What procedures do otolaryngologists perform?
The types of procedures an otolaryngologist performs can depend on their specialty. Typically, these specialists spend several years training in a subspecialty, including:
Some of the procedures performed within these subspecialties include:
When should I go to an otolaryngologist?
There are many reasons you might want to visit an ENT specialist, including:
You can ask your primary care physician to refer you to an ENT specialist if you’re experiencing persistent or severe pain or discomfort of the ear, nose, and throat.
What can I expect from my first otolaryngologist appointment?
Usually, your first visit to an ENT specialist starts with a referral made by your primary care physician. Once at your ENT appointment, you can expect the doctor to ask you questions about your medical history and any symptoms you’re experiencing.
Typically, your ENT doctor will conduct a physical exam that includes palpating the neck, or examining the neck by touch. They’ll also take a quick look at your ears, mouth, and nose with special instruments. In addition, your ENT doctor may recommend a nasal endoscope, which is a noninvasive procedure that takes a closer look at your sinuses.
What questions should I ask my otolaryngologist?
It’s important that you prepare for your appointment with an ENT doctor. To help you get started, we’ve created a list of good questions to ask your doctor:
You can use these questions as a starting point, but feel free to add your own. A good practice is to also ask for additional information and take notes during your appointment.