– Asst. Prof. Dr. Anan Kulthaveesup –
When people talk about diseases caused by inner ear abnormalities, most probably think of deafness or hearing impairment. However, many conditions that don’t manifest as ear symptoms actually originate from within the ear. It is therefore the role of Asst. Prof. Dr. Anan Kulthaveesup, or Dr. Pom, a specialist in ear and balance disorders at BNH Hospital’s ENT Department, to act as a detective, uncovering the root causes of these illnesses. Part of what led him to become an ear doctor today stems from a desire to treat common family ailments and a passion for museums.
Studying ENT for the Family
“I’ve wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember. I saw my father treating patients since I was a child. My father was a doctor, and we had a clinic at home. I used to help prepare and dispense medicines. Whenever anyone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always answered ‘a doctor’. I never changed my mind. When I took the university entrance exam, I chose only medicine for all four choices.”
During his time as a medical student at the Faculty of Medicine, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, later renamed Vajira Hospital, medical student Anan served as Vice-President of his class for the first three years and then became President for the final three years. His primary duties involved organising activities and acting as a liaison between lecturers and medical students.
Whilst studying, medical student Anan was interested in emergency medicine, feeling that emergency doctors in foreign series looked very cool and that it would be an exciting field. However, one day, when a family member fell ill with a common cold, he realised he wanted to treat the common diseases that his family members often contracted. He therefore decided to specialise in Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT).
“To help people, you don’t necessarily have to treat difficult diseases. Treating common, basic ailments, we can help people just as much and also take care of our parents, siblings, and relatives.”
Dr. Anan pursued his specialisation at the Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, undertaking a five-year ENT residency program, which was longer than typical specialisation courses.
“My knowledge base is very strong because I studied more than others.”
What the doctor gained from Chiang Mai was not just knowledge, but also the realisation of his particular interest in the ear. After that, he returned to Bangkok to begin work as a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, Vajira Hospital.
After six years of waiting, he finally received a scholarship to study ear disorders at Harvard Medical School in Boston, USA. However, it was a difficult decision, as the doctor had a young child at the time, and the scholarship was insufficient to support his entire family, especially in a city with a high cost of living like Boston.
“But my wife encouraged me. She said it was an opportunity of a lifetime that if I didn’t seize, who knew when such an opportunity would come again. So, I decided to go, and I stayed there for a year.”
Whilst studying in the USA, Dr. Anan was contacted by the Head of the ENT Department at Vajira Hospital, asking him to take over as head immediately upon his return to Thailand. This was a new role for him, requiring him to shift into administrative work, overseeing the well-being of every member of the department and making various decisions, including procurement. The doctor was trusted to hold the position for six years, but he stepped down before completing his second term. This was another instance where the doctor faced a difficult decision. Nevertheless, he discovered that he found more happiness in treating patients than in administrative work.
During his time as a lecturer, Dr. Anan also worked part-time at BNH Hospital every Sunday, and he later decided to start working full-time when a new position became available. To date, the doctor has been with BNH Hospital for about 10 years.
“When I was a part-time doctor, I liked the warm atmosphere here; it felt like home. The doctors were close, even though they were from different departments. I felt it was like a living organisation, and it was a wonderful place to be.”
The Ear Doctor Who Listens
For Dr. Anan, the most impressive thing he learned whilst studying in the USA was the model of patient care he observed from his professor, a renowned ear specialist. “He was quite famous in this field, and patients really liked him. He was a doctor who truly listened to his patients and grasped the essence of what they were saying. When I went on rounds with him, he would listen to the patients. Sometimes, just having someone understand and listen would make their symptoms subside significantly. It’s a method I really like and believe can genuinely help patients.”
At BNH Hospital, Dr. Anan has implemented the patient care approach he learned, which he defines as ‘reducing the doctor and increasing the human element’. This involves shifting perspective to truly see what the patient needs. Some patients don’t just want to be cured; they seek understanding from their doctor. This empathy also builds trust and encourages patients to cooperate in battling the illnesses they face.
“I tend to pay close attention to the details when patients recount their stories, and I also try to focus on the patient’s emotions, as they can significantly impact the disease itself. Some people have minor physical ailments but are very anxious or stressed, which can make them feel their symptoms are severe. If we can address both the disease and the patient’s anxiety, the chances of success are quite high.”
Listening extensively also helps Dr. Anan detect early signs of abnormality in patients without waiting for severe illness. This enables him to provide comprehensive patient care, covering both prevention and treatment, in line with BNH Hospital’s Complete Care approach.
“This should help patients have a good quality of life and happiness, rather than waiting for a disease to develop before seeking treatment.”
Although many abnormalities clearly originate from within the ear, such as hearing loss, many other conditions have multiple contributing factors, and inner ear problems are just one of them – for instance, balance issues or headaches. Therefore, Dr. Anan must also work collaboratively with doctors from other departments to help patients find the true root cause of their problems and receive targeted treatment.
One of Dr. Anan’s cases involved a patient suffering from dizziness who had sought treatment at multiple places without success, until they came to him. Dr. Anan recommended that the patient undergo a specific rotational test for diagnosis.
“But the patient had a bad experience with the rotational test before because it made them very dizzy. They were very afraid and didn’t want to do it. They refused this test, but it was a very necessary test. I told them that I understood it was scary, but it was an important test that would lead to the right treatment. I tried to reassure them that I would be by their side, so they didn’t have to fear falling or vomiting. Eventually, they agreed, and it allowed me to diagnose them with ‘benign paroxysmal positional vertigo’ (BPPV).”
During the treatment process, the patient still had to undergo several more head rotations, which the doctor would continually encourage them through, boosting their confidence. This allowed the patient to complete the necessary treatment steps and ultimately recover from the debilitating symptoms that had plagued them for months.
In some cases where standard diagnosis is not possible, such as treating elderly patients with physical limitations like kyphosis, preventing them from lying with their neck extended for an ear test, the doctor must adapt and use other methods to pinpoint the cause of the patient’s condition.
“We’re like detectives. We have to try to look at the patient’s history or relevant information and analyse what’s causing their dizziness or poor balance, because it can stem from the ear, eyes, brain, or muscles. And we have to adapt quite a lot to help the patient, because I want them to fully recover, not just get better for a while and then relapse.”
Being a doctor was the only dream Dr. Anan ever had, and he achieved it. Although he faced many difficult decisions along the way, today, he is a person who dedicates his time to treating and truly listening to patients, ensuring they have the best possible quality of life.
Asst. Prof. ANAN KULTHAVEESUP, M.D.
ผศ. นพ. อนันต์ กุลทวีทรัพย์
Speciality
Otolaryngology
Neurotology
Clinical Interest
Neurotology
Education
Bachelor's Degree, Doctor of Medicine, Mahidol University, Thailand
Fellowship
Otolaryngology, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
Board and Sub board Certification
The Medical Council of Thailand, Neurotology, The Royal College of Otolaryngologists-Head And Neck Surgeons of Thailand
Thai Medical Council, Otolaryngology, Chiang Mai University
Certificate
Orientation BNH, BNH Hospital, Thailand
BDMS Doctor and Dentist orientation, BDMS, Thailand
Language
English
Thai
Gender
Male
Schedule
Ear Nose Throat Department
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Monday | 08:00 - 12:00 |
| Tuesday | 08:00 - 20:00 |
| Wednesday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Thursday | 08:00 - 16:00 |
| Friday | - |
| Saturday | - |
| Sunday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
This is the doctor's regular weekly schedule. Actual availability may vary — please confirm the available date and time when you make an appointment.