Frequently Asked Questions

You can schedule an appointment directly on our website — choose your preferred provider, date, and time online. You can also call 512-339-4040 (Austin, Marble Falls & Dripping Springs) or 512-682-4798 (Lakeway).

We offer same-day and next-day appointments at all four of our Central Texas locations.

It depends on your insurance plan. Many PPO plans allow you to self-refer directly to a specialist — no referral needed. HMO plans typically require a referral from your primary care physician (PCP) before seeing a specialist.

If you're unsure, check the back of your insurance card or call your insurer's member services line. Our front desk team is also happy to help — call 512-339-4040.

Please bring the following to your first visit:

• Photo ID (driver's license or government-issued ID)
• Insurance card(s)
• List of current medications and dosages
• Any relevant imaging (CT scans, X-rays) on disc or digital copy
• Referral paperwork, if required by your insurance
• Completed new patient forms (available on our patient portal)

Arriving 15 minutes early allows time for any remaining paperwork.

New patient appointments typically take 45–60 minutes, which includes registration, completing intake paperwork, the evaluation with your provider, and discussing your treatment plan.

Follow-up appointments are generally 20–30 minutes. Procedure-specific visits may vary — your care team will let you know what to expect when you book.

Our general office hours are:

• Monday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Austin); 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Lakeway)
• Saturday – Sunday: Closed

Hours may vary by location. Visit our Locations page for location-specific hours and contact details.

Capital ENT accepts most major insurance plans, including:

• Aetna
• BlueCross BlueShield of Texas
• Cigna
• United Healthcare
• Humana
• Medicare and most Medicare Advantage plans
• Most major PPO and HMO plans

To confirm your specific plan is in-network, call us at 512-339-4040. Our team will verify your benefits and explain any anticipated out-of-pocket costs before your appointment.

Yes — most major insurance plans, including Medicare, cover sinus procedures such as Balloon Sinuplasty and Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) when deemed medically necessary.

Coverage typically requires documentation of:

• Failed medical management (antibiotics, nasal sprays, etc.)
• CT scan imaging confirming sinus disease
• Prior authorization from your insurer

Our billing team will handle prior authorization on your behalf and contact you with your estimated costs before scheduling any procedure.

Hearing aid coverage varies significantly by insurance plan. Traditional Medicare does not cover hearing aids, but some Medicare Advantage plans offer hearing benefits. Many commercial insurance plans offer partial coverage or a hearing aid allowance.

Audiological evaluations (hearing tests) are typically covered by insurance when medically indicated. Our audiology team will review your benefits and discuss financing options if your plan doesn't include hearing aid coverage.

Allergy testing and immunotherapy (allergy shots or drops) are typically covered by most major insurance plans when medically indicated. Coverage depends on your specific plan, and some plans may require a prior authorization.

Note that sublingual allergy drops (at-home drops) are considered off-label in the United States and are generally not covered by insurance, though they are more affordable than in-office shots for many patients. Our team will review your options during your consultation.

You can pay your bill online through our secure payment portal, by calling our billing department at 512-339-4040, or in person at any of our four office locations.

We accept cash, checks, and all major credit cards. If you have questions about your statement, our billing team is available Monday through Friday during business hours.

We welcome self-pay patients and will provide a good-faith estimate of costs before your appointment. We also offer payment plans to help make care affordable.

Please contact our billing office at 512-339-4040 to discuss your options before your visit. We're committed to ensuring access to quality ENT care for all patients.

Balloon Sinuplasty (BSP) is a minimally invasive procedure that opens blocked sinus passages using a small, flexible balloon catheter — similar to angioplasty for the heart. There's no cutting or removal of bone or tissue, which means faster recovery than traditional sinus surgery.

Capital ENT was the first practice in Austin to offer Balloon Sinuplasty. You may be a candidate if you:

• Have chronic sinusitis (symptoms lasting more than 12 weeks)
• Have not responded adequately to medications (antibiotics, nasal sprays, rinses)
• Have CT scan findings consistent with sinus disease

A consultation and CT scan are required to determine if BSP is right for you. Request an appointment to get started.

Recovery depends on the type of procedure performed:

• Balloon Sinuplasty: Most patients return to normal activities within 24–48 hours. Mild congestion and discharge are common for the first week.
• Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS): Recovery typically takes 1–2 weeks. You may experience congestion, bloody discharge, and mild discomfort. Strenuous activity should be avoided for 2 weeks.

Your surgeon will provide specific post-operative instructions at your pre-op appointment, including nasal irrigation guidelines and follow-up scheduling.

The nasal septum is the wall of cartilage and bone dividing your two nostrils. A deviated septum occurs when this wall is off-center, which can block airflow on one or both sides, causing chronic congestion, nosebleeds, snoring, or sleep disruption.

Many people with a deviated septum have no symptoms and do not need treatment. Surgery (septoplasty) is recommended only when symptoms significantly impact quality of life and have not improved with medications. Your ENT will evaluate your septum at your visit and discuss whether treatment is warranted.

Chronic sinusitis is diagnosed when you have sinus inflammation symptoms lasting 12 weeks or longer despite treatment. Key symptoms include:

• Thick nasal discharge (yellow or green)
• Facial pain or pressure around the eyes, cheeks, or forehead
• Nasal congestion or reduced sense of smell
• Post-nasal drip causing cough or sore throat

A cold typically resolves in 7–10 days. Allergies cause clear discharge and are linked to specific triggers (pollen, dust, pets). If your symptoms have lasted more than 12 weeks, an ENT evaluation is recommended.

Nasal polyps are soft, painless, noncancerous growths that develop in the lining of the nasal passages or sinuses. They're often associated with chronic inflammation due to asthma, recurring infections, or allergies.

Treatment options include:

• Nasal corticosteroid sprays (first-line treatment)
• Oral steroids for short-term reduction
• Biologic injections (e.g., Dupixent) for severe cases
• Endoscopic sinus surgery to remove polyps if medications fail

Polyps tend to recur, so long-term management is important. Our ENT team will develop a personalized plan for you.

A hearing evaluation (audiogram) is a painless, non-invasive test performed by one of our audiologists. It typically includes:

• Pure-tone audiometry: You wear headphones and respond to tones at different pitches and volumes
• Speech audiometry: Tests your ability to hear and understand spoken words
• Tympanometry: Measures how well your eardrum moves to check for fluid or pressure issues

The full evaluation takes about 15–30 minutes. Results are reviewed with you immediately after the test, and your audiologist will discuss next steps if hearing loss is detected.

Tinnitus — ringing, buzzing, hissing, or other sounds in the ears — affects millions of Americans and has many causes, including:

• Noise-induced hearing loss (concerts, power tools)
• Age-related hearing loss
• Earwax buildup
• Middle ear infections or fluid
• Eustachian tube dysfunction
• Certain medications (ototoxic drugs)
• Rarely, an underlying vascular or neurological condition

Most tinnitus is not dangerous, but persistent or worsening tinnitus warrants evaluation. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include sound therapy, hearing aids, or other interventions.

You should consider an ENT evaluation for your child if they experience:

• 3 or more ear infections in 6 months
• 4 or more ear infections in 12 months
• Persistent fluid behind the eardrum for 3+ months
• Hearing loss or speech delays that may be related to hearing
• An ear infection that doesn't clear with antibiotics

Recurrent ear infections may be an indication for ear tube surgery (tympanostomy tubes), which is one of the most common pediatric procedures performed and is very safe. Our ENT team has extensive experience treating children of all ages.

The Eustachian tube connects your middle ear to the back of the throat, regulating ear pressure and draining fluid. When it doesn't open and close properly, you may feel ear fullness, muffled hearing, popping sensations, or pain — especially with altitude changes.

Eustachian tube dysfunction is often linked to allergies, sinus congestion, or acid reflux. Treatment may include nasal steroid sprays, decongestants, allergy treatment, or — in persistent cases — a minimally invasive procedure called Eustachian tube balloon dilation.

Common signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) include:

• Loud snoring (especially gasping, choking, or pausing)
• Waking up unrefreshed even after a full night's sleep
• Excessive daytime sleepiness or falling asleep easily
• Morning headaches
• Difficulty concentrating or memory issues
• Frequent nighttime urination
• Mood changes, irritability, or depression

A formal diagnosis requires a sleep study (polysomnography or home sleep test). Capital ENT can evaluate your airway and refer you for a sleep study if sleep apnea is suspected.

Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea depends on its severity and underlying cause:

• CPAP therapy: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure — the most common and effective treatment for moderate-to-severe OSA
• Oral appliance therapy: A custom mouthguard that repositions the jaw — a good option for mild-to-moderate OSA or CPAP intolerance
• Weight loss and positional therapy: Effective for positional or obesity-related OSA
• Surgical options: Including tonsillectomy, palate surgery (UPPP), or inspire upper airway stimulation for appropriate candidates

Your ENT will work with you and your sleep medicine team to find the best approach for your specific anatomy and severity.

Enlarged tonsils can contribute to snoring and sleep apnea in both children and adults. Tonsillectomy (tonsil removal) is one of the most common ENT procedures and is very effective in children with sleep apnea related to tonsillar hypertrophy.

In adults, the benefit depends on the degree of tonsillar enlargement, anatomy, and sleep apnea severity. For adults, tonsillectomy is often combined with other airway procedures. Your ENT will evaluate your airway and discuss whether surgery is appropriate based on your individual anatomy and sleep study results.

Hoarseness lasting more than 2–3 weeks warrants evaluation by an ENT. Common causes include:

• Vocal cord nodules or polyps (common in singers and heavy voice users)
• Acid reflux (laryngopharyngeal reflux, LPR)
• Vocal cord paralysis
• Chronic laryngitis
• Thyroid issues
• In rare cases, laryngeal cancer

An in-office laryngoscopy (camera visualization of the vocal cords) allows your ENT to directly examine the cause of voice changes and recommend appropriate treatment.

Both allergy shots (subcutaneous immunotherapy, SCIT) and allergy drops (sublingual immunotherapy, SLIT) work by gradually desensitizing your immune system to the specific allergens causing your symptoms — treating the root cause rather than just masking symptoms.

• Allergy Shots: Administered in-office by injection. FDA-approved and covered by most insurance plans. Require office visits 1–2 times per week during the build-up phase, then monthly for maintenance (typically 3–5 years).
• Allergy Drops (SLIT): Taken at home under the tongue daily. More convenient — no office visits required after the initial prescription. Not FDA-approved for environmental allergies in the US, so typically not covered by insurance, but often more affordable as a monthly cost.

Both methods are shown to provide significant long-term allergy relief for most patients. Your ENT doctor will recommend the best option based on your lifestyle, allergy profile, and insurance.

Cedar fever is an allergic reaction to pollen from the Ashe Juniper tree (commonly called "mountain cedar" in Texas). Despite its name, it doesn't cause fever — it causes intense allergy symptoms including nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy/watery eyes, fatigue, and sneezing.

Austin is one of the worst cities in the country for allergies because:

• Mountain cedar pollinates heavily December through February — during what most of the country considers "off-season"
• Oak pollen follows in spring (March–April)
• Ragweed and mold spike in late summer and fall
• Warm winters mean pollen seasons are longer and more intense

The result: Austin residents often deal with year-round allergies. Immunotherapy is the most effective long-term solution.

Most patients begin to notice symptom improvement within 6–12 months of starting immunotherapy. Significant relief typically develops over the first 1–2 years of treatment.

The full course of immunotherapy is typically 3–5 years. Many patients experience long-lasting or permanent allergy relief after completing their course — meaning you may need fewer or no allergy medications going forward.

Symptom relief during treatment varies by individual and allergen sensitivity. Your ENT doctor will track your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed.

Allergy skin testing is performed in our office and is the most accurate way to identify your specific allergen triggers. The most common method is the skin prick test:

• Small amounts of common allergens are pricked into the skin of your forearm or back
• You wait 15–20 minutes for reactions to develop
• A small raised bump (wheal) at any site indicates a positive reaction to that allergen

The test is mildly uncomfortable but not painful. You'll need to stop antihistamines 7 days before testing (your provider will give specific instructions). Results are reviewed immediately, and your ENT doctor will use them to design your customized immunotherapy plan.

ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) specialists, also known as otolaryngologists, diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions affecting the head and neck, including:

• Ear: Hearing loss, ear infections, tinnitus, Eustachian tube dysfunction, vertigo/balance disorders
• Nose & Sinuses: Chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, deviated septum, nosebleeds, loss of smell
• Throat: Tonsillitis, laryngitis, voice disorders, difficulty swallowing, acid reflux affecting the throat
• Sleep: Snoring, obstructive sleep apnea, upper airway obstruction
• Allergies: Allergic rhinitis, cedar fever, allergy testing and immunotherapy
• Head & Neck: Thyroid nodules, salivary gland disorders, neck masses

Both ENTs and allergists treat conditions related to allergies, but from different angles:

• ENTs specialize in the structural and surgical aspects of ear, nose, throat, and sinus conditions. They perform procedures like sinus surgery, ear tubes, and tonsillectomies, and can also diagnose and manage allergies.
• Allergists focus on immune system disorders and manage a broader range of allergic conditions, including food allergies, asthma, and skin allergies.

Capital ENT offers comprehensive allergy testing and immunotherapy in-house, so many patients can have both their structural and allergy needs addressed by the same practice — saving time and improving coordination of care.

Yes — Capital ENT treats patients of all ages, including infants, toddlers, and children. Pediatric ENT conditions we commonly treat include:

• Recurrent ear infections and ear tube placement
• Enlarged tonsils and adenoids
• Pediatric sleep apnea and snoring
• Nasal obstruction and chronic congestion
• Allergic rhinitis and environmental allergies
• Speech and hearing concerns related to ear disease

Our providers have extensive experience working with children and making young patients feel comfortable during visits and procedures.

See an ENT if you're experiencing:

• Chronic sinus infections (more than 3–4 per year, or lasting more than 12 weeks)
• Hearing loss, ringing in the ears, or dizziness
• Hoarseness or voice changes lasting more than 2–3 weeks
• Recurrent ear infections or ear pain
• Difficulty swallowing
• A lump or mass in the neck
• Snoring or suspected sleep apnea
• Allergies not controlled with over-the-counter medications
• Nosebleeds that are frequent or difficult to control

Your primary care doctor is a great first stop, but ENTs have advanced training and specialized equipment (endoscopes, audiometers, allergy testing) to diagnose and treat these conditions more definitively.

Capital ENT has four convenient Central Texas locations:

• Austin: 12309 N Mopac Expy STE 100, Austin, TX 78758 — 512-339-4040
• Lakeway: 4 Lakeway Centre Ct Unit B, Lakeway, TX 78734 — 512-682-4798
• Marble Falls: 801 Steve Hawkins Pkwy, Marble Falls, TX 78654 — 512-339-4040
• Dripping Springs: 800 US-290, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 — 512-339-4040

Visit our Locations page for maps, hours, and directions to each office.

Yes — Capital ENT & Sinus Center was formerly known as Capital Otolaryngology. We rebranded to better reflect the full breadth of care we provide and to use a name that's easier for patients to recognize. ("Otolaryngology" is the medical term for ENT — Ear, Nose & Throat.)

Our physicians, locations, staff, and commitment to patient care remain exactly the same. If you were a patient at Capital Otolaryngology, your records and care team are still here for you. Call us at 512-339-4040 or request an appointment online.