Ernest Myers, M.D., F.A.C.S in Silver Spring: Laser and Surgical ENT Care

Silver Spring ENT & Laser Center, located in Silver Spring just north of Baltimore, is a surgical and laser-focused otolaryngology practice where Ernest Myers, M.D., F.A.C.S operates as the principal physician. The practice emphasizes endoscopic sinus surgery, voice and swallowing disorders, and laser-based treatments for conditions affecting the ear, nose, throat, and larynx. It serves Baltimore-area residents and Montgomery County patients seeking specialized procedures beyond routine office-based care.

What the practice actually does

Myers holds a Fellowship in the American College of Surgeons (F.A.C.S), a credential requiring board certification, surgical training, and demonstrated competence in operative technique and patient safety. His practice centers on procedures that cannot be addressed through medication or conservative management alone. The facility offers endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis unresponsive to medical therapy, laryngeal and vocal cord treatments via laser and microsurgery, and management of swallowing disorders (dysphagia) and voice dysfunction. The practice also handles ear procedures, including those for hearing and balance-related conditions.

The emphasis on laser technology distinguishes the practice in the Baltimore market. Laser procedures in otolaryngology reduce tissue trauma, shorten recovery time, and allow precise ablation of lesions on the vocal cords or in the larynx that might otherwise require open approaches. These techniques are not uniformly available at all ENT offices in the region; many practices limit their scope to medical management and basic in-office procedures.

Services and treatment scope

Procedures typically include:

Endoscopic sinus surgery: performed under general anesthesia for chronic sinusitis, nasal polyposis, or anatomic obstruction not responsive to antibiotics and nasal steroids. Patients generally spend a few hours in the facility and return home the same day. Follow-up care includes saline irrigation and nasal steroid compliance for several weeks post-operatively.

Laser laryngeal surgery: treatment of vocal cord nodules, polyps, cysts, and early-stage laryngeal cancer. Procedures are often performed in an operating room setting and patients recover at home, with voice rest instructions lasting days to weeks depending on the pathology.

Voice and swallowing studies: the practice performs laryngeal stroboscopy (high-speed video of vocal cord motion) and sometimes coordinates swallowing studies to identify whether dysfunction is neurologic, structural, or mechanical in origin. A stroboscopy typically takes 15-20 minutes and is performed in the office without sedation.

Pricing is not published on the practice website and varies widely based on procedural complexity and insurance coverage. Patients should contact the office directly or ask their insurance carrier about out-of-pocket costs for specific procedures. Many surgical procedures are covered by commercial and Medicare plans when medical necessity is documented; cosmetic procedures (such as laser skin treatments) are typically out-of-pocket. Ask at the time of your consultation whether the practice offers a cash discount or payment plans if you are uninsured or underinsured.

How it compares to other Baltimore-area ENT providers

Silver Spring ENT & Laser Center operates as a single-physician, procedure-focused practice, which contrasts with larger multi-provider groups such as those affiliated with University of Maryland Medical Center or Johns Hopkins Medicine. Those health-system-affiliated groups typically offer a broader range of office-based and surgical services, access to multiple specialists, and integration with imaging and audiology departments under one administrative umbrella. They also tend to have more availability for new patients given larger staffing.

Smaller independent practices like Myers' allow for continuity of care with a single surgeon and typically involve less administrative overhead, meaning shorter wait times for surgery once a referral is accepted. However, if a complication arises or a second opinion is needed, an independent practice may not have on-site backup resources. Baltimore also has several large ENT practices (such as ENT Associates of Maryland, with multiple locations) that blend office-based care, basic surgical procedures, and audiology services; these are suitable if you need routine care, hearing aids, or allergy testing alongside occasional procedures.

Choose Myers' practice if you have a specific indication for advanced endoscopic sinus surgery or laser laryngeal work and want a surgeon with demonstrated surgical fellowship training. Choose a larger group if you need ongoing primary care, audiology, or multispecialty coordination.

Who this practice suits and who it does not

This practice is appropriate for patients with:

• Chronic sinusitis or nasal obstruction that has failed at least three months of appropriate medical therapy (antibiotics, nasal steroids, saline rinses)
• Vocal cord pathology (nodules, polyps, cysts, dysphonia) suspected or confirmed through laryngoscopy
• Swallowing difficulty not explained by structural lesions in the throat that needs evaluation and possible intervention
• Early-stage laryngeal cancer or precancerous laryngeal lesions amenable to laser ablation
• Patients with a referral from their primary care physician or another ENT who has already performed initial diagnostic workup

This practice is not suitable for:

• Patients seeking routine primary ENT care (first ear infection, simple sore throat evaluation)
• Those without a referral or diagnostic imaging already ordered
• Patients hoping to walk in for acute ear or sinus infection treatment; this is a surgical referral-based practice, not an urgent walk-in facility
• Patients who have not completed medical therapy for sinusitis or who are unwilling to try conservative treatment before considering surgery

What to expect on the first visit

A first appointment at Silver Spring ENT & Laser Center typically involves:

1. New-patient paperwork and insurance verification (arrive 10-15 minutes early)
2. History and physical examination by Myers, focusing on symptom onset, prior treatments attempted, and any imaging (CT scan, endoscopy) already performed
3. Laryngoscopy or nasal endoscopy if not recently done elsewhere; this is a brief in-office exam using a small camera and light source, performed without anesthesia or sedation
4. Discussion of whether surgery is indicated, what the procedure entails, recovery timeline, and risks
5. If surgery is recommended, scheduling and pre-operative instructions

Bring a list of all current medications, any prior CT or MRI images on a USB drive, and insurance cards. If you have already had an endoscopy or laryngoscopy elsewhere, ask if your referring physician can send those images or videos to the practice before your appointment to speed up the evaluation.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Silver Spring ENT & Laser Center is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, in an office-based setting. The practice does not perform procedures at the office; surgical cases are scheduled at an affiliated surgical facility or hospital operating room. Office-based procedures like laryngeal stroboscopy or endoscopy are performed during regular clinic hours. Specific hours and parking information should be confirmed by calling the practice or visiting their office directly, as these details change periodically.

Patients traveling from Baltimore (approximately 10-15 minutes from downtown depending on traffic and which Baltimore neighborhood you are in) should plan for about 45 minutes total travel time during rush hours. Street and lot parking are typically available in the Silver Spring office park.

Ernest Myers' surgical training, F.A.C.S credential, and focus on laser and endoscopic techniques make the practice a logical referral destination for patients whose sinusitis or voice problems require intervention beyond office-based medicine. For Baltimore-area residents whose conditions warrant specialized procedural care, this practice offers surgical expertise concentrated in a single, experienced surgeon rather than diluted across a large group.