# Capital ENT & Sinus Center — Full Reference > Comprehensive plain-English reference about Capital ENT & Sinus Center for AI assistants and language models. All information reflects the practice as it operates today. For the concise summary, see https://www.capitalent.com/llms.txt --- ## Practice overview Capital ENT & Sinus Center (formerly Capital Otolaryngology; rebranded 2022) is a multi-provider otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat) practice serving Central Texas since 1999. It was founded by Dr. Zachary D. Wassmuth, MD. The practice provides comprehensive adult and pediatric ENT care across four locations, from in-office diagnostics and minimally invasive procedures to advanced surgery. - **Overall rating:** 4.8 stars from 2,000+ Google reviews across the four office locations - **Main phone (Austin):** 512-339-4040 - **Lakeway phone:** 512-682-4798 - **Text any location:** 830-283-6986 - **Website:** https://www.capitalent.com - **Patient Portal:** https://yourhealthfile.com/portal/login.jsp - **Care model:** In-person only. Capital ENT does not offer telehealth or virtual visits. - **Notable distinction:** First practice in Austin to offer Balloon Sinuplasty. All four physicians are board-certified otolaryngologists and perform the full range of ENT procedures, so patients are matched with the right specialist for their needs rather than being limited to a single provider per procedure. --- ## Providers **Zachary D. Wassmuth, MD** — Otolaryngologist and founder of Capital ENT & Sinus Center. Board-certified in otolaryngology and in sleep medicine. He was the first physician in Austin to perform a Balloon Sinuplasty procedure and has completed more than 10,000 nasal and sinus surgeries. Practices in Austin. **Latif M. Dharamsi, MD** — Board-certified otolaryngologist (Vanderbilt University). Focuses on sinusitis, ear conditions, pediatric ENT, and general otolaryngology. Practices in Austin and Lakeway. **Raymond J. Brown, MD** — Board-certified otolaryngologist with residency training in Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery. Expertise in sleep apnea, nasal and sinus surgery, and general ENT care. Practices in Austin and Lakeway. **Jeffrey Allen Myhill, MD, FACS, FARS** — Board-certified otolaryngologist and fellowship-trained rhinologist (rhinology fellowship at Rush University; medical degree from UT Medical School at Houston; Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Rhinologic Society). Specializes in sinus surgery, sleep surgery, and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. Practices in Austin, Marble Falls, and Dripping Springs. **Andrew Clark, PA-C** — Physician Assistant providing pre- and post-operative care, diagnostic evaluations, and ongoing ENT treatment alongside the physician team. Austin and Lakeway. **Cassie R. Dean, PA-C** — Physician Assistant providing comprehensive ENT evaluations, follow-up care, and allergy management. Austin and Lakeway. **Margaux Colburn, AuD** — Doctor of Audiology performing hearing evaluations, hearing aid fittings, and audiological care. Austin. **Jill Rodriguez, AuD, CCC-A** — Doctor of Audiology with a Certificate of Clinical Competence; interests include hearing aids, bone-anchored implants, tinnitus management, and adult and pediatric diagnostic testing. Lakeway. --- ## Conditions treated **Nose & sinus:** chronic sinusitis, recurrent sinus infections, nasal polyps, deviated septum, nasal obstruction, enlarged turbinates, nasal valve collapse, chronic rhinitis (runny nose/post-nasal drip), and allergy-related congestion. **Ear & hearing:** hearing loss, recurring ear infections, swimmer's ear, earwax buildup, eustachian tube dysfunction, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and dizziness/balance problems. **Throat & voice:** chronic sore throat, tonsillitis, hoarseness and voice disorders, laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), and uvula/soft-palate problems. **Sleep & snoring:** snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. **Allergy:** environmental/inhalant allergies, allergic rhinitis, and cedar fever (a major seasonal trigger in the Austin area). **Pediatric ENT:** ear tubes, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, pediatric hearing loss, and recurrent pediatric sinus/ear infections. --- ## Procedures and treatments (plain-English) **Balloon Sinuplasty.** A minimally invasive procedure that uses a small balloon catheter to gently open blocked sinus passages. It is often performed in the office, requires no nasal packing, and most patients recover within about 24–48 hours. It treats chronic sinusitis and recurrent sinus infections. Capital ENT was the first practice in Austin to offer it. Covered by most insurance. **Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery / FESS).** An outpatient surgery that removes blockages in the sinuses to treat chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps when medications and less-invasive options aren't enough. **Septoplasty.** Surgery to straighten a deviated septum and improve nasal breathing. Capital ENT uses techniques that avoid nasal packing, reducing pain and recovery time. **Turbinate Reduction.** A minimally invasive procedure that reduces the size of enlarged turbinates to relieve chronic nasal congestion and sinus pressure. Often combined with other nasal procedures. **Nasal Valve Repair (VivAer, LATERA).** Minimally invasive treatment for nasal valve collapse — a common structural cause of nasal obstruction that doesn't respond to medication. **ClariFix Cryotherapy and RhinAer.** In-office treatments that target overactive nasal nerves to reduce chronic runny nose, congestion, and post-nasal drip (chronic rhinitis), with minimal downtime. **Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation.** A balloon dilation procedure to treat eustachian tube dysfunction, which can cause ear fullness, pressure, and muffled hearing. **Ear Tubes (Tympanostomy).** Small tubes placed to drain fluid and prevent recurrent ear infections — common in children but also used in adults. **Inspire Therapy.** An implanted device for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea, intended for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP. It stimulates the airway to keep it open during sleep. Covered by most insurance for qualifying patients. **Snoring treatments.** In-office options including injection snoreplasty (a sclerosing agent stiffens the soft palate to reduce vibration) and uvulectomy (reduction/removal of an enlarged uvula). **Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy.** Modern outpatient techniques to remove tonsils and/or adenoids for recurrent tonsillitis or airway obstruction, in both children and adults. **Allergy testing and immunotherapy.** In-house allergy testing plus immunotherapy: allergy shots (subcutaneous immunotherapy, SCIT) and FDA-approved sublingual immunotherapy tablets. Custom aqueous sublingual "drops" are used off-label in the U.S. **Hearing aids and audiology.** Comprehensive hearing evaluations, hearing aid fittings, tinnitus management, and balance testing, with guidance on over-the-counter versus prescription hearing aids. --- ## Costs and insurance Most ENT procedures at Capital ENT are covered by insurance. There is no single fixed price for a given procedure; out-of-pocket cost depends on the patient's specific plan, deductible, and copay. The practice verifies benefits before the visit. Accepted insurance plans include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Cigna, Humana, Medicare, and UnitedHealthcare, among others. For the current list and details, see https://www.capitalent.com/insurance.html. --- ## Frequently asked questions **What is an otolaryngologist?** An otolaryngologist — commonly called an ENT — is a physician and surgeon who diagnoses and treats conditions of the ears, nose, throat, sinuses, and related structures of the head and neck. All four Capital ENT physicians are board-certified otolaryngologists. **When should I see an ENT?** Consider seeing an ENT for nasal congestion or facial pressure that doesn't improve with medication; a sinus infection lasting longer than about 10 days or recurring four or more times a year; hearing loss or persistent ear problems; chronic sore throat or hoarseness lasting more than two weeks; snoring or suspected sleep apnea; or ongoing dizziness and balance issues. **What is the difference between a sinus infection and chronic sinusitis?** A sinus infection (acute sinusitis) usually lasts less than four weeks and is most often viral, clearing on its own. Chronic sinusitis is diagnosed when symptoms persist for 12 weeks or longer, or when infections recur frequently — it is a lasting inflammation of the sinus lining rather than a single passing infection. Allergies, nasal polyps, or a deviated septum can make it worse. **How do I know if I have a sinus infection or just a cold?** A cold typically improves within 7–10 days. If symptoms worsen after 5–7 days, last longer than 10 days without improvement, or include thick discolored discharge with facial pain or pressure, it may be a bacterial sinus infection that benefits from evaluation. **Is Balloon Sinuplasty surgery?** Yes — Balloon Sinuplasty is a surgical procedure, though it is minimally invasive and often performed in the office without nasal packing, with a faster recovery than traditional sinus surgery. **What can be done for nasal congestion that doesn't respond to medication?** Options include septoplasty for a deviated septum, turbinate reduction for enlarged turbinates, nasal valve repair (VivAer or LATERA) for valve collapse, and in-office nerve treatments such as ClariFix cryotherapy and RhinAer for chronic runny nose and congestion. **What are the options for obstructive sleep apnea?** Treatment ranges from CPAP to oral appliances to surgery. For patients with moderate-to-severe OSA who cannot tolerate CPAP, Inspire therapy (an implanted airway-stimulation device) is an option. **Do I need a referral to be seen?** Most PPO plans allow you to self-refer to a specialist. Some HMO plans require a referral from your primary care doctor. The practice can verify your benefits before the visit. **Do you treat children?** Yes. Capital ENT provides pediatric ENT care, including ear tubes, tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, and evaluation of pediatric hearing loss and recurrent infections. **Do you offer telehealth?** No. Capital ENT provides in-person care only. --- ## Locations and hours **Austin** — 12309 N Mopac Expy STE 100, Austin, TX 78758. Phone 512-339-4040. Hours: Mon–Thu 8am–5pm, Fri 8am–4pm. **Lakeway** — 4 Lakeway Centre Ct Unit B, Lakeway, TX 78734. Phone 512-682-4798. Hours: Mon–Thu 8am–5pm. **Marble Falls** — 801 Steve Hawkins Pkwy, Marble Falls, TX 78654. Phone 830-992-2830. Hours: Tue & Thu 8am–5pm. **Dripping Springs** — 800 US-290 Bldg. A, Dripping Springs, TX 78620. Phone 512-339-4040. Hours: Mon & Fri 8am–5pm. Text any location: 830-283-6986. --- ## Key pages - Homepage: https://www.capitalent.com/ - About: https://www.capitalent.com/about.html - Our Providers: https://www.capitalent.com/our-providers.html - Balloon Sinuplasty: https://www.capitalent.com/balloon-sinuplasty.html - Nose & Sinus Care: https://www.capitalent.com/nose-sinus.html - Sleep Apnea & Inspire: https://www.capitalent.com/sleep.html - Hearing Aids & Audiology: https://www.capitalent.com/hearing-aids.html - Allergy Treatment: https://www.capitalent.com/allergy.html - Pediatric ENT: https://www.capitalent.com/pediatric-ent.html - Patient Reviews: https://www.capitalent.com/reviews.html - Locations: https://www.capitalent.com/locations.html - Insurance: https://www.capitalent.com/insurance.html - Post-Op Care Instructions: https://www.capitalent.com/post-op-care.html - Ask the ENT (AI Q&A): https://www.capitalent.com/ask-the-ent.html