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The AAO-HNS is one of the world’s largest organizations representing specialists who treat the ears, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. Otolaryngologist–head and neck surgeons diagnose and treat medical disorders that are among the most common affecting patients of all ages in the United States and around the world. Those medical conditions include chronic ear disease, hearing and balance disorders, hearing loss, sinusitis, snoring and sleep apnea, allergies, swallowing disorders, nosebleeds, hoarseness, dizziness, and tumors of the head and neck as well as aesthetic and reconstructive surgery and intricate micro-surgical procedures of the head and neck. The Academy has approximately 13,000 members.

The AAO-HNS Foundation works to advance the art, science, and ethical practice of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery through education, research, and lifelong learning. Visit the Academy’s About Us page for more information.

Otolaryngology (pronounced oh/toe/lair/in/goll/oh/jee) is the oldest medical specialty in the United States. Otolaryngologists are physicians trained in the medical and surgical management and treatment of patients with diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, throat (ENT), and related structures of the head and neck. They are commonly referred to as ENT physicians. Their special skills include diagnosing and managing diseases of the sinuses, larynx (voice box), oral cavity, and upper pharynx (mouth and throat), as well as structures of the neck and face. Otolaryngologists diagnose, treat, and manage specialty-specific disorders as well as many primary care problems in both children and adults.

Visit the Academy’s patient-focused site, ENThealth.org, for more information about otolaryngology and conditions that otolaryngologists treat.

Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (OTO Journal) is the official peer-reviewed publication of the AAO-HNSF. The mission is to publish contemporary, ethical, clinically relevant information in otolaryngology, head and neck surgery (ear, nose, throat, head, and neck disorders) that can be used by otolaryngologists, clinicians, scientists, and specialists to improve patient care and public health.

OTO Open is the official open-access journal of the AAO-HNSF. The mission is to publish clinically relevant, contemporary, and ethical research in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery that advances patient care and supports the global medical community through free and unrestricted access to peer-reviewed science.

The AAO-HNSF journalsemploys an embargo system. All articles in the journal are embargoed until they are published, including Early View publication. Early View allows forthcoming articles to be published online before they are scheduled to appear in print. Early View articles may be cited and may be reported on by the news media.

Articles not published Early View are embargoed for release until published, unless otherwise specified. Members of the media are responsible for confirming the embargo day and time, and are subject to penalties for embargo breaks.

Interview requests for journal authors can be directed to [email protected].

As defined by the Institute of Medicine, Clinical Practice Guidelines are “statements that include recommendations intended to optimize patient care that are informed by a systematic review of evidence and an assessment of the benefits and harms of alternative care options.” Guidelines are one way of increasing implementation of evidence into practice. They can serve as a guide to best practices, a framework for clinical decision making, and a benchmark for evaluating performance.

Visit the Academy’s Clinical Practice Guideline page to see all guidelines and to learn more about guidelines that will published in the future.

The AAO-HNSF welcomes all media who are employed by an accredited news organization to apply for press registration to cover the AAO-HNSF 2026 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO, October 17-20, in Los Angeles, California.

• The 2026 Press Guidelines can be found here.
• Press Registration