Expert Ear, Nose & Throat Doctor in Seattle, Bellevue & Tacoma

Get Seen Quickly by a Board-Certified ENT

Same-day and next-day appointments with Dr. Chad Ruffin, a board-certified ear, nose, and throat specialist.  

Transparent pricing, modern communication, and expert care—without the wait or the red tape.

Serving Seattle, Bellevue, and Tacoma. Book online in 60 seconds.

Clear Answers. Compassionate Care. Appointments Available Within Days.

Dr. Ruffin is an ENT doctor in the Seattle based Hearing Speech & Deaf Center.

What We Treat: Ear & Hearing Care, Sinus, Allergy, & More

  • Ear infections, wax buildup, and hearing problems  
  • Hearing loss evaluation and cochlear-implant management
  • Sinus and allergy relief without unnecessary surgery  
  • Voice and throat concerns  
  • Head and neck tumors
  • Sleep apnea & snoring
  • Salivary (spit producing) gland disorders
  • Facial fractures/trauma

A Doctor Who Listens

We listen before we treat. We explain before we operate. We think holistically.

Dr. Ruffin is the first person born with severe hearing loss to become a surgeon using cochlear implants to hear. This experience has led him to become a fierce advocate for patient friendly healthcare.

His team's approach to healthcare is fundamentally patient-centric. This means that every decision we make, from the treatments we recommend to the way we structure our services, is guided by what is best for our patients' health and well-being, rather than by the goal of maximizing profits. Our commitment is to provide high-quality, compassionate care that puts your needs at the forefront. We always prioritize treating with medication instead of surgery.

Technology That Keeps Care Human

In our practice, technology isn’t a barrier—it’s what makes care personal, responsive, and efficient.

From your first message to your follow-up, every step is streamlined to remove the usual clinic friction.  

Our tools help you reach a real doctor quickly, schedule seamlessly, and know exactly what to expect.

Text Your Doctor

We use a secure medical-messaging platform that lets patients text the clinic directly.  

You can ask questions, send photos, or clarify instructions without sitting on hold or navigating a portal.  

Every message goes straight to your care team, so you always get a timely, human reply.

Book Online in 60 Seconds

Our scheduling system connects live with appointment availability.

Patients can see open times and book instantly—no phone tag, no waiting for a call back.  

Same-day and next-day visits are visible in real time, even for new patients.

No Surprises Pricing

Transparent pricing means you almost always know what your visit will cost before you come in.  

We display rates clearly online and confirm them by text or email before your appointment.  

There are no facility fees, hidden charges, or unexpected bills—just honest, up-front information.

You Get Seen in Days… Not Months

Technology lets us triage and prioritize efficiently.  

Our intake forms, Spruce communication, and internal scheduling tools flag urgent cases right away.  

That’s why most patients are seen within days—not the months typical of larger systems.

Board-Certified ENT Care with Advanced Training

An ENT doctor treats problems with the head and neck. This area of the body is complicated. By weight, it makes up less than 10% of the but takes up 33% of an anatomy textbook we study in medical training. It takes years to learn how the complex anatomy plays out in the lives of patients.

To master this complicated area of the body, board certification takes 9 years of medical training beyond college. In addition, Dr. Ruffin has advanced training in ear surgery. He has completed two research fellowships in which his research pushed the boundaries of ENT surgery further. Participation in research and innovation and his awards indicate ongoing investment in the specialty of otolaryngology. Dr. Ruffin has been in ENT since 2004. This background provides experience and a large network with which to discuss complex cases. This background allows him to critically evaluate the best treatments among the latest trends. Read more about the differences in training between ENTs and non-ENTs.

Connected for Excellence: How Dr. Ruffin's Professional Network Benefits You

Choosing the right ENT specialist also means looking at their professional connections. Dr. Ruffin was formerly a partner in the prestigious Proliance Surgeons, a large group of surgeons with advanced training in the Seattle-Tacoma area. His affiliations with top medical facilities like Swedish First Hill and First Hill Surgery Center reflect his commitment to excellence. As a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology, he stays updated with the latest in ENT care, ensuring you receive the most advanced and effective treatments. These connections are not just accolades, but a promise of quality care for you as his patient.

Tailored Treatments, Personalized Care: Dr. Ruffin's Collaborative Approach to ENT Health

He practices patient-centered care which uses shared decision making to personalize a treatment plan to a patient's goals. We educate patients on the "why and how" of their treatment plans.

This approach is tailored to meet each patient's specific goals and needs, and can also be more cost-effective. Physicians from minority backgrounds, like Dr. Ruffin, are often recognized for delivering care that is exceptionally patient-centered. This means you receive high-quality care that's aligned with your personal health objectives and is cheaper.

He has a large base of mentors who collaborate on complex cases.

Better Care, Lower Costs — Powered by Technology

Self-pay visits from $199 — No Facility Fee.
In-network options for those who have health insurance.

The average visit with an ENT in Seattle-Tacoma costs a patient $428. Insurance often covers this under the specialist copay or coinsurance. However, this figure is just the office visit before in office procedures or the facility fee are added in.

It's important to look at cost of treatment over time, not just for each visit. This is really important for patients with high deductible plans. Our costs are over time are very likely more competitive because:

  • Most ENT visits include a procedure such as endoscopy or earwax removal. In office endoscopy in Seattle costs patients $460 and earwax costs $136. This is usually not covered by your specialist visit. They are instead applied to your deductible. Unless you have met your deductible for the year, you are responsible for these extra fees.
  • You're not paying for the extras of a hospital or large practice. We do not charge facility fees. These fees average nearly $220 per visit in area hospitals. They are not always covered by insurance.
  • We have reduced expenses by 66% relative to other practices. Our practice uses technology and strategic partnerships to improve service and lower costs...and you still get a human when you contact us! This ensures that our focus remains on providing you with high-quality care without the pressure of seeing many patients.
  • We perform surgeries at a top rated outpatient surgery center instead of a hospital. Studies show improved care that is hundreds of dollars cheaper than large healthcare systems.
  • We have no ownership in the surgery centers where we perform surgery. Our recommendations for surgery are unbiased and based solely on what's medically best for you. We will always disclose conflicts of interest.

These savings can lead to significant savings over time without compromising on care quality.

Prioritizing You. Not Layers of Bureaucracy.

The challenges of navigating large hospital systems can be daunting for patients, often involving being passed between multiple sub-specialists, facing high medical costs, and grappling with layers of bureaucracy. Evidence suggests that smaller practices deliver the best care and value for patients. Our independent practice offers a streamlined, patient-focused alternative. Led by Dr. Ruffin, our approach is grounded in providing comprehensive, specialized ENT care without the inefficiencies and impersonal nature of larger systems. We minimize the need to shuttle patients between different specialists by offering a broad range of services in one place, ensuring continuity and coherence in care. Our smaller size not only allows for more personalized attention but also helps us manage costs more effectively, making high-quality care more accessible. By reducing bureaucratic hurdles, we focus on what's most important – delivering exceptional, patient-centered healthcare.

...And We Have Free Parking – Central District

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