Kenny Lin, MD is an ENT Specialist practicing at our Houston, TX clinic. He is a trusted local provider registered with The Texas Medical Board and practices under the Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle B (Medical Practice Act). ENT specialists, also known as otolaryngologists, are medical doctors and surgeons who diagnose and treat a wide range of ear, nose, throat, head, and neck 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. Lin is committed to offering comprehensive care to all ages, and is currently welcoming new patients. Please call (713) 441-1368 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Lin is a board-certified otolaryngologist with over 10 years of dedicated experience, specializing in disorders of the ear. He is passionate about treating hearing loss, chronic ear infections, dizziness, and tumors of the lateral skull base. He earned his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 2013, followed by residency training in ENT at New York Presbyterian - Columbia and Cornell (2018), and fellowship training in Michigan Ear Institute (2020). He is Board Certified in Neurotology and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery by the American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Lin is committed to understanding your concerns as the patient and partnering with you to offer the best treatment options. He is an expert in rehabilitation of hearing loss and has published on outcomes after stapes surgery, cholesteatoma surgery, ossicular chain reconstruction, and cochlear implantation. His ongoing research interests include expanding the indications for cochlear implantation and new treatment paradigms of vestibular schwannomas. Dr. Lin is committed to treating every patient like family, listening and understanding their concerns before deciding together on the best possible treatment option. He is passionate about treating hearing loss and takes pride in offering multi-disciplinary approaches using the latest techniques. Dr. Lin provides consultations primarily in English.
A strong patient-provider partnership is the foundation of effective healthcare. Dr. Lin is committed to being a partner in your health journey, focusing on practical strategies to protect your health and well-being.
Dr. Lin's approach to care is deeply patient-centered, emphasizing clear communication and a thorough understanding of each patient's unique needs. He provides comprehensive ENT care, from routine check-ups to complex surgical interventions, integrating the latest research and technology to deliver effective and personalized treatment plans. He collaborates closely with patients and their primary care physicians to ensure a cohesive and coordinated approach to their overall health.
By working together, you and Dr. Lin can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Also Accepts These Carriers
- BestChoice PPO
- Blue Card PPO
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
- Blue Essentials HMO
- Choice Care Network PPO
- Choice Care PPO
- Choice POS
- Choice Plus POS
- Choice Plus POS II
- Cigna
- Cigna PPO
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- Elect Choice (Open Access) EPO
- HMO Premier HMO
- Humana
- Managed Choice (Open Access) POS
- Medica Choice
- National POS
- Navigate HMO
- Navigate POS
- Nexus Open Access
- Open Access Plus
- Open Choice PPO
- Options PPO
- Preferred PPO
- Premier Care Network Plus - Innovation Health
- SureFit Houston
- UnitedHealthCare
As your primary healthcare provider, Dr. Lin offers expert diagnosis and management for a wide range of common health conditions. Common areas of focus include:
- Vocal Cord Paralysis: Vocal cord paralysis makes it hard to talk normally because the cords don't vibrate correctly; an otolaryngologist can diagnose the underlying problem and offer solutions such as voice therapy or surgery to restore your voice.
- Hyperparathyroidism: Hyperparathyroidism is an endocrine disorder resulting in high blood calcium levels, which can weaken bones and cause kidney stones among other problems; an ENT surgeon can offer treatment options, including surgery, to manage the hormone imbalance.
- Acute Sinusitis: Facial pain, nasal congestion, and a feeling of pressure in your face are all signs of acute sinusitis, a condition an ENT specialist is well-equipped to manage.
- Chronic Adenoid Infection: If you have a recurring infection of your adenoids (glands in the back of your nose), an ENT doctor can diagnose the problem and recommend treatment like antibiotics or surgery.
- Dysphagia: Experiencing difficulty swallowing? This is called dysphagia, and an otolaryngologist can determine the cause and create a treatment plan to ease your swallowing problems.
- Otosclerosis: Otosclerosis is a bone disease in the middle ear that can cause hearing loss, and an ENT specialist can diagnose it and explore treatment options like surgery or hearing aids.
- Chronic Sinusitis: If you have recurring sinus infections that don't clear up, you may have chronic sinusitis, which an ENT doctor can help resolve through various treatments.
- Facial Nerve Disorder: An ENT doctor is skilled in diagnosing and treating facial nerve disorders, which can result from injury, infection, or other conditions affecting facial muscle movement.
- Throat Pain: If you're experiencing a sore throat, an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor can examine your throat, diagnose the problem, and recommend treatment options to relieve your pain and promote healing.
- Labyrinthitis: Vertigo and imbalance are common symptoms of labyrinthitis, an inner ear inflammation that an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialist diagnoses and treats.
- Hoarse Voice (Dysphonia): A persistent hoarse voice could signal a problem with your vocal cords; an ENT specialist is the right doctor to see for diagnosis and treatment.
- Deviated Septum: A deviated septum is a misalignment of the nasal cartilage, often causing breathing issues; ENT doctors offer treatments including surgery to improve airflow.
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. Lin offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and treat various health concerns:
- Ablation or Excision of Nasal Turbinates: This surgery targets enlarged tissue in the nose (nasal turbinates) that may be causing breathing difficulties, improving airflow and nasal breathing.
- Adenoidectomy: Suffering from chronic nasal congestion or frequent infections? An adenoidectomy is a surgical option to remove the adenoids and improve breathing and overall health.
- Cochlear Implant Insertion: Cochlear implant surgery is a treatment for profound hearing loss that involves implanting a small electronic device to restore some hearing ability.
- 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.
- Ear Tube Placement: This procedure involves placing tiny tubes in the eardrums to relieve pressure and allow fluid to drain, improving hearing and preventing further ear infections.
- Eustachian Tube Repair: This procedure addresses issues with the Eustachian tube, a small tube connecting your ear to your throat, that may be causing ear pain, fluid buildup, or hearing loss.
- Intranasal or Sinus Procedure: This procedure involves accessing the sinuses or nasal cavity through the nostrils to diagnose or treat problems like infections or blockages.
- Nasal Septum Surgery (Septoplasty): Septoplasty is surgery to straighten a crooked nasal septum, improving breathing and reducing nasal congestion.
- Perforated Eardrum Repair (Tympanoplasty): A perforated eardrum can be repaired surgically through tympanoplasty, restoring normal hearing and protecting the middle ear.
- Rhinoseptoplasty: A deviated septum can cause breathing problems; rhinoseptoplasty is a surgical solution to correct this.
- Tracheal Surgery: Tracheal surgery aims to fix problems with your windpipe, making it easier to breathe.
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. Lin 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 treatment plan, the patient regained their ability to speak more easily and comfortably, significantly improving their quality of life. Through voice therapy and support, they successfully learned to manage their vocal cord paralysis.
- After receiving a clear diagnosis and treatment plan, the patient successfully managed their hyperparathyroidism, preventing further complications and regaining their overall well-being.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Houston Methodist ENT Specialists
6550 Fannin St Fl 1717, Houston, TX, 77030
Phone: (713) 441-1368
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- Michigan Ear Institute (Fellowship Hospital) - 2020
- New York Presbyterian - Columbia and Cornell (Residency Hospital) - 2018
- Washington University In St. Louis (Medical School) - 2013
- American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (Neurotology)
- 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. Lin:
- What kind of conditions does an ENT specialist treat?
- Dr. Lin, an otolaryngologist, is a medical doctor and surgeon who treats a wide range of conditions affecting the head and neck. He 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. Lin is also skilled in thyroid surgery and head/neck tumors.
- Do I need a referral to see an ENT?
- Dr. Lin's office accepts many insurance plans. While some, like HMOs, require a referral from a primary care physician, others, like PPOs, do not. Please contact your insurance provider to confirm referral requirements before scheduling an appointment.
- 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. Lin, an ENT specialist, can examine the entire airway to identify specific blockage areas and offer treatments, including surgical options, unavailable from other sleep specialists.
- My child gets a lot of ear infections. Do they need ear tubes?
- Ear tubes (tympanostomy tubes) are often recommended for children with recurrent middle ear infections or persistent fluid in the ear that affects hearing. The tiny tubes help ventilate the middle ear and prevent fluid buildup. Dr. Lin can evaluate your child to see if they are a good candidate for this common and safe procedure.
- I have frequent sinus infections. When should I see an ENT instead of my primary care doctor?
- If your sinus infections are chronic (lasting more than 12 weeks), recurrent (happening 4 or more times a year), or not improving with standard treatments, you should see an ENT like Dr. Lin. He can perform a nasal endoscopy in the office to better evaluate and determine the underlying cause.
- What is a hearing test (audiogram) like?
- Dr. Lin 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 him determine any hearing loss.
- 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. Lin can perform tests to diagnose the cause of vertigo, which often originates in the inner ear.
- Is it normal for my voice to be hoarse for a long time?
- Hoarseness from a cold or overuse should resolve within a couple of weeks. If hoarseness lasts longer than 2-3 weeks, it's important to be evaluated by Dr. Lin. He can perform a laryngoscopy to diagnose the cause, which could range from acid reflux to vocal cord nodules or other issues.
6550 Fannin St Fl 1717
Houston TX 77030
Phone: (713) 441-1368
Kenny Lin, 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): 1548502925
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. Kenny Lin 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.