Neurotology or neuro-otology is a subspecialty of otolaryngology—head and neck surgery, also known as ENT (ear, nose, and throat) medicine.
Otology may refer to ENT physicians who "... [study] normal and pathological anatomy and physiology of the ear (hearing and vestibular sensory systems and related structures and functions) ...", and who treat diseases of the ear with medicine or surgery.
[3] In some instances, otology and neurotology are considered together—as so closely related that a clear demarcation between the subspecialties might not exist.
Many general otolaryngologists are trained in otology or middle ear surgery, performing surgery such as a tympanoplasty, or a reconstruction of the eardrum, when a hole remains from a prior ear tube or infection.
It is more and more common in the United States as well as around the world for otolaryngologists to obtain additional advanced training in neurotology, which requires an additional one or two years of fellowship training after the usual five years of residency.