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4 Best ENT Specialists in Seattle (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

Elara Kestrel
By Elara Kestrel, Health and Medical Expert · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 7 min read

A thyroid lump, a kid who needs ear tubes, a hearing loss that's been ignored too long. Seattle's ENT specialists here range from 12 to 226 Google reviews, and every one holds a rating between 4.7 and 5.0, so the split that matters is between general otolaryngology and the narrower surgical specialties.

Short answer: Michael J. Wolfe, MD, FACS leads with a 4.9 average across 226 reviews, the deepest track record among Seattle's ENT specialists here, with a general otolaryngology practice covering everything from thyroid to sinus disease. Puget Sound Ear Nose and Throat follows with 4.8 across 176 reviews and locations across Seattle, Edmonds, and Everett. Consultation and procedure costs depend on your insurance, so confirm coverage before booking.
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Seattle's ENT specialists, side by side

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 Michael J. Wolfe, MD, FACS 4.9 226 General ENT and head and neck concerns View ›
2 Puget Sound Ear Nose and Throat - Seattle 4.8 176 Multi-location ENT care View ›
3 Joseph C. Sniezek, MD 5.0 17 Complex head, neck, and thyroid surgery View ›
4 Seth Schwartz, MD 5.0 12 Ear surgery and hearing restoration View ›
4 Best ENT Specialists in Seattle (2026)

The specialists, one by one

Michael J. Wolfe, MD, FACS logo
#1 Overall🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Michael J. Wolfe, MD, FACS

4.9226 Google reviews

Dr. Michael J. Wolfe practices with Proliance Surgeons and has been in the Seattle area since 2006. He's board-certified in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and, per his bio, focuses on neck masses, thyroid and salivary gland issues, head and neck cancer, skin cancer reconstruction, and sinus disease, alongside general otolaryngology needs. He teaches as a clinical instructor at the University of Washington's ENT department.

What people praise

  • Reviewers repeatedly mention he listens carefully and doesn't rush appointments
  • Praised for explaining conditions and treatment plans in plain language
  • One patient calls him a long-term thyroid doctor, suggesting reliable ongoing care
  • Staff and office organization get specific praise alongside the doctor himself
Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle
Rating4.9 / 5
Review volume226 · 93rd
Confidencehigh
Recency2 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown95% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The deepest review base on this page and a broad general ENT practice. A solid first call for most ear, nose, and throat concerns in Seattle.

515 Minor Ave #140, Seattle, WA 98104

Puget Sound Ear Nose and Throat - Seattle logo
#2🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Puget Sound Ear Nose and Throat - Seattle

4.8176 Google reviews

Puget Sound ENT operates locations in Seattle, Edmonds, and Everett, and its site describes over 100 years of combined provider experience. Services span general ENT, sinus treatment, audiology and hearing aids, and the Inspire implant for sleep apnea, with a team of named physicians rather than a single doctor.

What people praise

  • Reviewers mention a welcoming front desk with snacks and a relaxed reception area
  • Multiple doctors named individually and praised for clear explanations
  • A hearing aid patient specifically praised staff for practical maintenance tips
  • Reviews are recent, several from within the past few months

Worth knowing

  • Slightly lower confidence score than the top pick, reflecting a somewhat wider spread of ratings
Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle
Rating4.8 / 5
Review volume176 · 79th
Confidencemoderate
Recency3 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown93% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A strong option if you want a practice with multiple locations and providers rather than a single specialist, especially for hearing aid and audiology needs.

515 Minor Ave #140, Seattle, WA 98104

Joseph C. Sniezek, MD logo
#3↩ Responds to reviews

Joseph C. Sniezek, MD

5.017 Google reviews

Dr. Joseph C. Sniezek practices head and neck surgery through Swedish Medical Center. Reviews describe patients traveling from as far as Las Vegas for tumor removal, and cases include parotid gland tumors, lymph node removal, and other complex head and neck procedures.

What people praise

  • Multiple reviewers describe successful tumor removal with no facial nerve complications
  • Patients traveled from out of state specifically to be treated by him
  • Praised for a confident, thorough bedside manner going into surgery
  • One patient reports a clean recovery with no visible scarring five years on

Worth knowing

  • A smaller review count than the top two picks, so the track record is thinner in volume even though the rating is perfect
  • Wait times of several months for a consultation are mentioned by more than one reviewer
Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle
Rating5 / 5
Review volume17 · 64th
Confidenceearly
Recency8 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone
Rating breakdown100% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Ranks third here mainly on review volume, not quality. For complex head, neck, or thyroid surgery specifically, the reviews suggest he's worth the wait.

1221 E Madison St Suite 1523, Seattle, WA 98104

Seth Schwartz, MD logo
#4🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Seth Schwartz, MD

5.012 Google reviews

Dr. Seth Schwartz practices otolaryngology through Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Reviews describe him performing stapedectomy (stapes bone surgery), ear tube placement, and adenoid removal, with a particular focus on ear and hearing procedures for both children and adults.

What people praise

  • Reviewers describe measurable hearing improvement after ear surgery
  • Praised for careful, adaptive surgical technique when anatomy is unusual
  • One family reports him treating a child's recurring ear infections after a long wait elsewhere
  • Patients describe him as thorough in explaining the surgery and its risks beforehand

Worth knowing

  • The smallest review count on this page, so the sample is limited even with a perfect rating
Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle
Rating5 / 5
Review volume12 · 50th
Confidenceearly
Recency5 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown100% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Ranks fourth by volume, but the reviews point to real expertise in ear surgery specifically. Worth a look if hearing restoration is the main concern.

1100 9th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

5

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Health information disclaimer: This directory is informational only and not medical advice. Rankings reflect publicly available Google ratings and review volume, not clinical outcomes. Verify any practitioner’s credentials and registration with the relevant medical board before booking.

How we score

Rating is the live Google average for each specialist. Review volume measures how many patients have actually left feedback, ranked against the others on this page. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, since a perfect score from 12 reviews carries less certainty than one from 226. Recency checks how current the reviews are. No business can pay to change these numbers.

What does an ENT visit cost in Seattle? (2026)

None of the specialists on this page list consultation or procedure prices publicly, and their reviews don’t cite specific fees either. In the US, ENT costs depend heavily on your insurance network, whether the visit is a first consultation or a procedure, and whether imaging or a sleep study is involved. Confirm your coverage and any copay with the practice before booking.

Serving greater Seattle

These ENT specialists cover downtown Seattle, First Hill, and the broader Puget Sound area, with Puget Sound ENT also reaching Edmonds and Everett. If you’re searching for an ENT specialist near me in Seattle, weigh whether you need general otolaryngology or a narrower specialty like ear surgery or head and neck oncology before picking a location.

What to ask before you book an ENT specialist

  • Is this provider in-network for my insurance, and what’s the estimated copay?
  • Does this practice handle both general ENT visits and specialized surgery?
  • How long is the current wait for a new patient consultation?
  • If surgery is recommended, what’s the expected recovery timeline?
  • Will I see the same doctor at every visit, or a rotating team?
  • Are virtual visits available for follow-up appointments?

Frequently asked questions

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner (badge and top placement), but that never changes another business’s score or position.

How did you choose these ENT specialists?

We pulled real Google Business Profile data for otolaryngologists and ENT clinics in Seattle and ranked them by rating, review volume, and how recently patients have been leaving reviews.

How often is this updated?

This page reflects Google data verified in August 2026. We periodically re-check ratings and review counts as they change.

Do I need a referral to see an ENT specialist in Seattle?

It depends on your insurance plan. Many US insurers require a referral from a primary care doctor before covering a specialist visit, so check your plan first.

What’s the difference between a general ENT and a head and neck surgeon?

A general ENT, like Dr. Wolfe or the team at Puget Sound ENT, handles everyday ear, nose, and throat issues. A specialist like Dr. Sniezek focuses on more complex surgical cases, such as tumors or thyroid conditions.

The bottom line

For most ear, nose, and throat concerns, Dr. Michael Wolfe’s 226-review track record and broad general practice make him the safe default. If the case is more specialized, complex head and neck surgery or ear surgery specifically, it’s worth calling Dr. Sniezek or Dr. Schwartz directly to ask about their focus and current wait times.

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