Cynthia Tarver, MD is an ENT Specialist practicing at her clinic in Houston, TX. As a trusted local provider on kellysearch.com, she is registered with The Texas Medical Board and practices under the Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle B (Medical Practice Act). She is dedicated to providing comprehensive ENT care, focusing on the full spectrum of ear, nose, throat, head, and neck conditions. ENT specialists, also known as otolaryngologists, are medical doctors and surgeons who diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, from common issues like sinus infections and hearing loss to complex cases such as head and neck cancers, often working in collaboration with your primary care physician. Dr. Tarver serves all ages, and is currently welcoming new patients. Please call (281) 998-0530 to schedule an appointment.
With over 35 years of dedicated experience, Dr. Tarver brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and care to her patients. She earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and completed her general surgery internship and otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residency training in San Antonio. She is Board Certified in Otolaryngology by the American Board of Otolaryngology, and Board Certified in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery by the American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Tarver graduated from Austin College in 1985 and is a diplomate of the American Board of Otolaryngology. Her practice philosophy centers on collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients and their families feel heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions. She offers consultations in Spanish.
A strong patient-provider partnership is the foundation of effective healthcare. Dr. Tarver is committed to being a partner in your health journey, focusing on practical strategies to protect your health and well-being.
Dr. Tarver's approach to ENT care prioritizes a comprehensive understanding of each patient's unique needs. She meticulously examines the full spectrum of ear, nose, throat, head, and neck issues, employing the latest diagnostic tools and evidence-based treatments to deliver personalized, effective solutions. This patient-centered approach ensures clear communication and collaboration, fostering a strong physician-patient relationship, ultimately guiding patients toward optimal health outcomes.
By working together, you and Dr. Tarver can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Cigna
Coventry Health Care
Humana
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Anthem
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
- Buckeye Community Health Plan
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care)
- HealthyBlue 2.0
- Medicare
- MultiPlan
- MultiPlan PPO
- National (BlueCard) PPO
- United Healthcare
- UnitedHealthCare
As your primary healthcare provider, Dr. Tarver offers expert diagnosis and management for a wide range of common health conditions. Common areas of focus include:
- Tinnitus: Tinnitus is a ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in your ears that only you can hear, and an ENT doctor can help identify the cause and explore treatment options.
- Otitis Media: Otitis media is a middle ear infection that causes ear pain, and an ENT doctor can diagnose it and provide treatment like antibiotics or ear tubes.
- Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Sensorineural hearing loss is damage to the inner ear or hearing nerve that makes it hard to hear sounds clearly.
- Acute Respiratory Infection: An acute respiratory infection (ARI) is a sudden infection of the respiratory system, like a common cold or flu, and an ENT doctor can help manage symptoms and rule out more serious conditions.
- Chronic Tonsillitis: If you experience frequent sore throats and swollen tonsils, you may have chronic tonsillitis, which an ENT doctor can diagnose and treat with various methods.
- Malignant Otitis Externa: Malignant otitis externa is a rare but severe ear infection that can be life-threatening if not treated quickly by an ENT specialist, who uses antibiotics and potentially surgery to combat it.
- Chronic Sinusitis: An ENT specialist treats chronic sinusitis, a condition characterized by ongoing inflammation in the sinuses, often involving medication, nasal irrigation, and sometimes surgery.
- Cholesteatoma: A cholesteatoma is a growth of skin cells in the middle ear that can damage the eardrum and nearby bones, and an ENT doctor can surgically remove it.
- Sore Throat: Experiencing a sore throat? An ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor can identify the causewhether it's a bacterial infection, allergies, or something elseand provide appropriate care.
- Chronic Adenotonsillitis: Persistent tonsil and adenoid inflammation known as chronic adenotonsillitis requires the expertise of an ENT specialist to relieve symptoms and improve your respiratory health.
- Sinusitis: When your sinuses get inflamed, causing pain and congestion, an ENT specialist can help relieve your sinusitis symptoms.
- Enlarged Turbinates: Enlarged turbinates are swollen tissues inside your nose that can make it hard to breathe, and an ENT doctor can help shrink them or suggest other treatments.
This list represents some of the common conditions treated. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional.
To provide comprehensive and patient-centered care, Dr. Tarver offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and treat various health concerns:
- Tracheal Surgery: This surgery addresses issues within the trachea, such as tumors, narrowing, or trauma, to improve breathing.
- ENT Surgery: Surgical procedures performed by an ENT doctor can improve hearing, breathing, swallowing, and overall head and neck health, alleviating symptoms and correcting structural issues.
- Head and Neck Surgery: This surgery aims to correct structural problems, remove tumors, or repair injuries in the head and neck, improving your quality of life.
- Antrostomy and Antrotomy (Sinus Surgery): Antrostomy and antrotomy are surgical procedures to open up blocked sinus passages, relieving sinus pressure and improving drainage.
- Salivary Gland Surgery: If you have a lump or swelling in your neck or face related to a salivary gland, surgery might be needed to remove it and check for cancer.
- Sleep Study: A sleep study is a non-invasive procedure that helps doctors pinpoint the cause of excessive daytime sleepiness, snoring, or other sleep disturbances.
- Ear Surgery: If you're experiencing hearing loss, chronic ear infections, or other ear-related issues, ear surgery may be an option to correct the problem and improve your hearing.
- Middle Ear Implant Candidacy Evaluation: This consultation helps determine whether a middle ear implant is a suitable solution for your specific hearing challenges and health condition.
- Hearing Screening: A hearing screening involves a series of sounds played at different volumes to assess your hearing ability.
- Ear Tube Placement: Ear tubes are small, hollow tubes surgically inserted into the eardrum to drain fluid from the middle ear, often resolving hearing loss and reducing the frequency of ear infections.
- Diagnostic Nasal and Sinus Endoscopy: This procedure involves a small camera being inserted into your nose to visualize your nasal passages and sinuses, helping your doctor identify the cause of your symptoms.
- Laryngoscopy - Laryngotomy - Laryngectomy - Pharyngolaryngectomy - Pharyngectomy: If you have a throat or voice problem that requires surgery, these procedures may be recommended to improve your breathing, speaking, swallowing, and overall health of your upper airway.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for their professional license in Texas.
Dr. Tarver is dedicated to partnering with patients to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how proactive care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- After receiving a clear diagnosis and personalized treatment plan from an ENT specialist, a patient found significant relief from their tinnitus, enabling them to better manage their daily activities. They reported feeling empowered by understanding the cause and potential solutions for their condition.
- After receiving a clear diagnosis and treatment plan for otitis media, the patient experienced significant relief from ear pain and was able to return to their normal activities. The patient felt empowered by understanding their condition and how to effectively manage it.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
11454 Space Center Blvd Ste B, Houston, TX, 77059
Phone: (281) 998-0530
View on Map - Practice
11914 Astoria Blvd Ste 500, Houston, TX, 77089
Phone: (281) 484-3981
View on Map - Practice
14140 Southwest Fwy Ste 200, Sugar Land, TX, 77478
Phone: (281) 998-0530
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- University Tex Med School (Internship Hospital) - 1990
- University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine (Internship Hospital) - 1990
- University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio Long School of Medicine (Medical School) - 1989
- Austin College (Undergraduate School) - 1985
- American Board of Otolaryngology (Otolaryngology)
- American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery)
Here are answers to some common questions about receiving ENT care with Dr. Tarver:
- What kind of conditions does an ENT specialist treat?
- Dr. Tarver, an otolaryngologist, is a medical doctor and surgeon who treats a wide range of conditions affecting the head and neck. She specializes in ear problems (infections, hearing loss, dizziness), nasal and sinus issues (allergies, sinusitis, breathing problems), and throat conditions (voice disorders, swallowing problems, tonsillitis). Dr. Tarver also has expertise in thyroid surgery and head/neck tumors.
- Do I need a referral to see an ENT?
- Dr. Tarver's office accepts various insurance plans. While some, like HMOs, require a referral from your primary care physician, others, like PPOs, do not. Please check with your insurance provider to determine if a referral is needed before scheduling an appointment.
- What is the difference between dizziness and vertigo?
- Dizziness is a general feeling of lightheadedness or unsteadiness. Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness, characterized by a spinning sensation. Dr. Tarver can perform tests to diagnose the cause of vertigo, often originating in the inner ear.
- What is sleep apnea and how can an ENT help?
- Sleep apnea is a condition where the airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing pauses in breathing. Dr. Tarver, an ENT specialist, can examine the entire airway to identify areas of blockage and offer treatments, including surgical options, that other sleep specialists may not provide.
- What is a hearing test (audiogram) like?
- Dr. Tarver will conduct a simple, painless hearing test in a soundproof booth. You'll wear headphones and indicate when you hear tones of different pitches and volumes. This helps her determine if you have any hearing loss and its severity.
- I have frequent sinus infections. When should I see an ENT instead of my primary care doctor?
- If you have chronic or recurrent sinus infections (lasting more than 12 weeks or happening 4 or more times a year), or if your primary care doctor's treatment isn't helping, Dr. Tarver can help. She can perform a nasal endoscopy to evaluate the underlying cause of your sinus issues.
- I found a lump in my neck. What should I do?
- While many neck lumps are benign, like swollen lymph nodes from an infection, any persistent lump warrants evaluation by a medical professional. Dr. Tarver is an expert in diagnosing head and neck masses and can perform a thorough examination, including an in-office biopsy if needed, to determine the cause.
- Is it normal for my voice to be hoarse for a long time?
- Hoarseness from a cold or overuse should improve within a couple of weeks. If your hoarseness lasts longer than 2-3 weeks, it's important to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tarver. She can perform a laryngoscopy to determine the cause, which could include acid reflux, vocal cord nodules, or other potential issues.
11454 Space Center Blvd Ste B
Houston TX 77059
Phone: (281) 998-0530
Cynthia Tarver, MD is regulated by the Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle B (Medical Practice Act) in Texas and is licensed by The Texas Medical Board.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1497738926
Registration can typically be verified through The Texas Medical Board website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by kellysearch.com, is for informational purposes to help you connect with local healthcare providers. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the provider named. Healthcare providers like Dr. Cynthia Tarver are trained to manage a wide range of health concerns. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.