On 1 August 2007, The Chinese University of Hong Kong formally constituted an independent Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery under the Faculty of Medicine. This further strengthens its current leading position as a provider of medical and surgical treatment of the ear, nose, throat (ENT) and head and neck surgery, as well as clinical aspects of communicative disorders and training and research opportunities relevant to all these concerns.

The evolution into an independent academic department builds on the very significant achievements since 1985 of the dedicated clinicians, teachers and researchers who have served the Division of Otorhinolaryngology within the University's Department of Surgery. This transition places us firmly in line with the international and Mainland China classification of ENT as an independent medical specialty and an established academic discipline. 

The Department provides enriched clinical teaching for undergraduate medical students as well as strengthens professional training for interns and specialist provision for ENT trainees towards specialist recognition in Hong Kong - Fellowship of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine (FHKAM) and Fellowship of the Hong Kong College of Otorhinolaryngologists (FHKCORL). Besides, there are ENT update courses for primary care physicians and nurses, co-organised with the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians.

Moreover, the Department supervises postgraduate research and training. The outstanding track record of research will continue, and even greater strides will be taken in head and neck cancer, including the nasopharyngeal cancers so highly prevalent in Hong Kong and elsewhere in Southern China. The Department will also advance in such rapidly developing areas as surgical treatments for deafness in adults and children, minimal invasive ENT surgery, Asian facial plastic techniques and ENT problems in children.

Centred at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Shatin, the University's teaching hospital, the Department is fully committed to delivery of high quality patient services throughout the New Territories East and Kowloon East clusters of the Hospital Authority, with whom it works closely. It is closely affiliated with the Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital in Tai Po, New Territories and the United Christian Hospital in Kwun Tong, Kowloon. Outreach outpatient clinics and day surgery are also based at the North District Hospital in Fanling, New Territories and Tseung Kwan O Hospital, Tseung Kwan O. Private consultations  and operations are conducted in Prince of Wales Hospital, CUHK Medical Center and Union Hospital in Sha Tin. 

The Department provides both emergency and elective ENT, head & neck, audiology and speech therapy service. Operations performed range from day surgery to major procedures including cochlear implantation and head and neck tumour resections. Outpatient services include general ENT clinics as well as dedicated subspecialist clinics covering voice, allergy, dysphagia, chronic ear problems and paediatric airway problems.