Dr Chan Yew Meng is a Senior Consultant in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery at Singapore General Hospital and directs the hospital’s Tinnitus clinic service. His clinical interests include dizziness and imbalance, vertigo, inner ear tumours, tinnitus and hearing loss, and skull base surgery. He pursued advanced subspecialty training in otology and neuro-otology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Clinical focus
Otology / neuro-otology (dizziness, tinnitus, hearing).
Qualifications (as publicly listed)
MBBS, FRCS (Edin), FAMS (ORL).
Where they practise
- Clinic / practice: Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, Singapore General Hospital — Outram
- Hospital / training affiliation(s): Singapore General Hospital (SGH); National Cancer Centre Singapore
Getting to the clinic
Dr Chan Yew Meng practises in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery at Singapore General Hospital, on the Outram campus. The nearest station is Outram Park MRT (EW16 / NE3 / TE17), an interchange linking the East-West, North-East and Thomson-East Coast lines, so it can be reached from most parts of the island. From the MRT, sheltered walkways and the free SGH internal shuttle bus connect to the specialist outpatient blocks across the large campus.
Public buses stop along Outram Road and nearby. If you come by car or taxi, the campus has several visitor carparks and signposted drop-off points at the main entrances, and ride-hailing services can drop you there. As SGH is a large teaching hospital, check your appointment letter for the correct block and clinic level, and allow extra time to navigate and park. Help and wheelchair assistance are available at the main lobbies.
What otology and neuro-otology cover
Otology is the branch of ENT focused on the ear, and neuro-otology deals with the hearing and balance nerves, and Dr Chan’s stated focus spans both, including dizziness, tinnitus and hearing, as well as skull base surgery. Conditions managed in this field include hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing or noise in the ears), vertigo and imbalance, and tumours of the inner ear and the nerves nearby. The clinic also runs a tinnitus service for people troubled by persistent ear noise.
Dizziness and imbalance can arise from the inner ear, the balance nerves or other causes, so careful assessment is needed to find the source before targeting treatment. Tinnitus often accompanies hearing loss and can be distressing, and management focuses on identifying any cause and helping people cope. Skull base surgery addresses tumours and conditions at the base of the skull, where the ear and balance structures sit close to important nerves. Because dizziness, tinnitus and hearing loss can each have several possible causes, careful assessment is needed to reach the right diagnosis before treatment, and care often looks at how the symptoms affect daily life, balance and confidence, drawing on hearing devices, balance rehabilitation and tinnitus support as well as medical or surgical treatment.
What to expect at a consultation
A first visit usually begins with a history of your ear symptoms, dizziness, tinnitus, noise exposure, medicines and previous ear problems. The specialist will examine the ears, often under a microscope, and assess balance where dizziness is a concern.
Investigations frequently include a hearing test (audiogram) and, for balance problems, tests of inner-ear and balance function. Imaging such as MRI or CT may be arranged to look at the inner ear and nearby nerves, particularly where a tumour is suspected. The specialist will explain the findings and discuss options, which may include medication, balance therapy, hearing support, tinnitus management or surgery depending on the diagnosis.
Preparing for your appointment
- Photo identification and any GP or polyclinic referral letter.
- Previous hearing test results, ear scan reports and earlier ENT records.
- A list of current medicines, including any that may affect hearing or balance.
- Details of any current hearing aids and how well they work.
- A note of symptoms such as hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness or imbalance, and when they occur.
- Questions you would like to ask about diagnosis and treatment.
After your consultation and follow-up
You may leave with a plan for hearing or balance tests, imaging, or a treatment programme, with a review to discuss results. Ear, balance and tinnitus problems are often managed over several visits, particularly where balance therapy or tinnitus support is involved. If surgery is recommended, the team will explain the procedure, recovery and follow-up.
Continuity helps with ongoing tinnitus, hearing loss and balance conditions. You may seek a second opinion if you wish. Seek urgent attention for sudden hearing loss, severe spinning vertigo with vomiting, sudden facial weakness, or severe ear pain with fever, as some of these need prompt assessment.
Booking, referrals and fees
Because SGH is a public hospital, a GP or polyclinic referral is generally needed and can help you access subsidised rates if eligible. Appointments are arranged through the hospital’s specialist outpatient system. MediSave, MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans may apply to eligible procedures and hospital stays within set limits, while routine consultations are commonly paid out of pocket. As costs depend on the tests and treatment needed, confirm fees and subsidy eligibility with the hospital beforehand.
Common questions
What causes dizziness from the ear?
Inner-ear conditions are a common cause of vertigo and imbalance; assessment with hearing and balance tests helps identify the source.
Can tinnitus be treated?
While there is not always a cure, identifying any cause and using strategies to manage the noise can reduce how much it troubles you.
When is imaging needed for ear symptoms?
Imaging such as MRI may be arranged when a tumour or a specific inner-ear problem is suspected, based on your symptoms and tests.
Do I need a referral for this clinic?
For a public hospital clinic a GP or polyclinic referral is generally needed and may help you access subsidised rates if you are eligible.
Related guides
Sources & verification
See also: our editorial directory of ENT specialists in Singapore and our shortlist of ENT clinics.
This is an independent, factual profile compiled from the public sources listed above — not a paid listing, advertisement or endorsement. Details can change; always verify a doctor’s current registration on the Singapore Medical Council public register and confirm specifics directly with the clinic. This page is general information, not medical advice or a recommendation of any individual practitioner. See our editorial policy.
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