Frequently Asked Questions

For sudden sensorineural hearing loss, starting treatment as soon as possible after it begins, generally within 2 weeks, helps the outlook. How well hearing recovers can depend on when treatment starts, so please see a doctor promptly if you suddenly cannot hear in one ear or a blocked feeling continues.

Studies differ, but the spontaneous recovery rate is reported to be about 47–68%. However, outcomes vary greatly from person to person: of every 3 people, 1 regains normal hearing, 1 is left with hearing loss of about 40–60 dB, and 1 is left with permanent hearing loss. Early treatment can affect the outlook, so it is safer to see a doctor than to wait for it to recover on its own.

To find the cause of tinnitus, we start with basic tests such as a hearing test, an eardrum test and an examination with an otoscope, and recommend further tests if needed. Tinnitus is not just noise; it can be a sign linked to your hearing, inner ear or overall health, so the cause needs to be identified accurately.

Much dizziness comes from problems in the inner ear (the vestibular system), so ENT care is often needed. For spinning dizziness (vertigo), dizziness when you change position and dizziness that comes with ear symptoms, we first look for ENT causes. If a neurological cause is suspected, we will arrange a consultation with neurology.

If water does not drain easily from your ear, or itching and discharge keep coming back, we combine cleaning of the ear canal with medication. Cleaning hard with a cotton swab can irritate the ear and make symptoms worse, so it is better to receive proper care in the exam room.

A blocked ear with sounds seeming far away can have various causes, such as Eustachian tube dysfunction, otitis media or sudden sensorineural hearing loss. If it appears temporarily after a flight, a fast elevator ride or a cold, it may get better, but if it continues or comes with reduced hearing, you should see a doctor.

The basic test is pure-tone audiometry: in a soundproof room, you hear sounds at different frequencies through headphones and give a signal when you hear them. If needed, speech audiometry, tympanometry and other tests may be added, and all of them are non-invasive.

A cold is a viral infection that often comes with a sore throat, fever and body aches, and it usually gets better with time. Rhinitis is inflammation of the nasal lining, with repeated sneezing, clear runny nose, nasal congestion and itching, and it can get worse with environmental factors such as the seasons, dust, pet hair and dry air. If symptoms last a long time or keep coming back, we recommend checking the cause.

Nasal congestion can have many causes, such as rhinitis, swelling of the lining after an infection, sinusitis or structural problems. At your visit, we check how long you have had symptoms, whether they are seasonal, what your nasal discharge is like and whether there is pain, and if needed, we examine the inside of your nose and advise whether an allergy test is needed.

If symptoms keep coming back, or if you need to know the allergen causing them to plan your care, allergy tests such as MAST or ImmunoCAP may be considered. Not every case of rhinitis needs testing; we decide by looking at your symptoms and living environment together.

Pollen in spring, air conditioning and changes in humidity in summer, large temperature differences between day and night in autumn, and dry air and indoor heating in winter can all irritate the nasal lining. It is important to reduce the seasonal triggers and combine this with treatment that suits your symptoms.

With tonsillitis, the throat pain is severe and swallowing can be difficult, or the tonsils may be red and swollen with white discharge. Even if it feels like a cold, if you have a high fever, a very sore throat or tonsil swelling that keeps coming back, it is a good idea to see a doctor to find the cause.

Your voice may become hoarse for a while after a cold or overusing it, but if hoarseness lasts 2 weeks or longer, or comes with a feeling of something stuck in your throat, coughing or heartburn, other causes such as laryngopharyngeal reflux need to be checked.

Along with stomach acid reflux, lifestyle habits such as eating and sleeping can play a part. At your visit, we check the condition of your larynx and explain medication and lifestyle measures.

When pain and sores in the lining of the mouth keep coming back, as with stomatitis, glossitis or aphthous ulcers, an ENT clinic can check the condition. If it greatly affects your daily life or recurs often, it is a good idea to discuss whether you need medication or care to protect the lining.

The MAST test is a comprehensive test that checks about 90–100 allergens at once, and it is covered by National Health Insurance when the coverage criteria are met. The ImmunoCAP test measures specific allergens as quantitative values (classes) and is used for detailed diagnosis of asthma, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis and more. Both tests are available at our clinic, and we recommend the right test based on your symptoms and the allergens suspected.

The MAST test is covered by National Health Insurance when the coverage criteria are met, which lowers your cost. The ImmunoCAP test may also be covered by National Health Insurance when the coverage criteria are met, depending on your situation, such as a follow-up visit. We will explain in detail after your consultation whether coverage applies and what your out-of-pocket cost will be.

MAST results are usually available 3–5 days after the test. ImmunoCAP results are given separately, depending on the items tested and how the test progresses. When the results arrive, the medical team explains your reaction to each allergen and the management and treatment plan that follows.

It is a treatment that may help people with bronchial asthma, chronic hives or allergic rhinitis who feel that medication alone is not enough. The injection contains histamine together with human immunoglobulin, and unlike immunotherapy that uses the allergen causing your symptoms, it works regardless of the type of allergen. However, the possibility of pregnancy and any history of hypersensitivity to its ingredients need to be checked beforehand, so please talk to the doctor during your visit.

At first, it is given 3 times at 1-week intervals (1 vial per dose). If the effect is minimal within 1 month, 1–2 more treatment cycles are repeated in the same way. After 3 treatment cycles, 1 vial is given every 3 months as maintenance. We will explain the detailed schedule during your visit.

Sublingual immunotherapy at our clinic is a treatment specifically for house dust mite allergy. It is simple to take, so it is less of a burden for patients, but it cannot be used for other allergens. We recommend it when an allergy test confirms that house dust mites are the main cause.

Some medications, such as antihistamines and steroids, can affect the test results, so you may need to stop them for a period as instructed beforehand. If you take any regular medication, please tell us during your visit. The test itself is a blood draw, so no fasting or special preparation is needed.

Sleep studies are by appointment. Use the ‘Book a Sleep Study’ button (Naver Booking) on the Sleep Center pages, or call our main number, 032-721-7593.

Snoring may simply be a habit, but when it leads to sleep apnea it can affect daily life, for example with daytime fatigue and poor concentration, so checking the cause is recommended. If your family often notices your breathing stop, or you do not feel refreshed after sleeping, we suggest looking into the cause with polysomnography.

Polysomnography is a test in which you sleep overnight in a test room while various body signals, such as brain waves, breathing, oxygen saturation, heart rate and muscle activity (EMG), are measured. It is non-invasive and takes place while you sleep as usual, so it is not a heavy burden for patients.

It is covered by National Health Insurance when the coverage criteria are met, such as a symptom assessment and confirmation that the test is needed. We will explain the criteria and your out-of-pocket cost in detail after your consultation, along with the cost if the test is not covered by National Health Insurance.

The cost is different when the test is covered by National Health Insurance, which applies when the coverage criteria are met, and when it is not covered. Our front desk will tell you the exact amount, and we will explain your expected out-of-pocket cost during your consultation.

Snoring is a vibrating sound made when the upper airway narrows during sleep, while sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing stops or weakens for a period of time. Snoring does not always lead to sleep apnea, but the two can occur together, so testing is the accurate way to tell them apart.

Depending on your test results, we guide you through various options such as CPAP, an oral appliance, lifestyle changes and surgical treatment. Which option suits you depends on how severe the apnea is, your body type and your daily routine, so it is a good idea to get advice tailored to your diagnosis.

On the day of the test, eat as usual, and it is better to avoid caffeinated drinks from the afternoon on. Bring the personal items you need for 1 night, such as pajamas and toiletries, and tell us during your visit about any medication you take.

When fatigue lingers or recovery feels slow, we can look at your eating, sleeping and work patterns and your current condition together, then discuss the care you need. Not everyone needs the same IV drip, so we first check your condition at your visit.

Depending on your goals and condition, our advice may differ, such as vitamin supplementation, a consultation about recovering from fatigue or general wellness care. We check any existing conditions, the medications you take, your allergy history and recent symptoms before advising whether it is suitable.

The changes you feel can differ depending on your condition and the cause. An IV drip does not replace diagnosis or treatment, and if fatigue lingers or comes with symptoms such as dizziness, weight change or fever, the cause needs to be checked first.

Please let us know in advance about any possibility of pregnancy, chronic conditions, kidney or liver disease, medications you take, or past allergic reactions. We need this to check whether it is safe to go ahead.