Meet Dr. Austin Bancroft: Expert Ear, Nose & Throat Care, Close to Home

Living with constant sinus pressure, recurring ear infections, hearing changes, or a sore throat that just won’t go away can take a toll on your daily life. And when seeing a specialist means driving hours away, it’s easy to put off getting the care you need.

For parents, it’s even more challenging. Watching your child struggle with frequent ear infections, enlarged tonsils, trouble breathing at night, or hearing concerns can be stressful, especially when specialty care isn’t close by.

That’s why Decatur County Hospital is excited to welcome Dr. Austin Bancroft, a board-certified Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist. His arrival gives families throughout southern Iowa access to experienced specialty care close to home, making it easier for children and adults to get answers, find relief, and feel better.

Comprehensive ENT Care for All Ages

ENT specialists diagnose and treat conditions involving the ears, nose, throat, head, and neck. Dr. Bancroft cares for patients of all ages, treating a wide range of conditions, including:

• Chronic or recurring sinus infections
• Ear infections and ear pain
• Hearing loss and hearing concerns
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Dizziness and balance disorders
• Nasal congestion and allergies
• Frequent nosebleeds
• Hoarseness and voice disorders
• Sore throats and difficulty swallowing
• Enlarged tonsils and adenoids
• Sleep-related breathing concerns, including snoring and sleep apnea
• Head and neck masses

For children, early evaluation can make a lasting difference. Recurring ear infections, enlarged tonsils, hearing difficulties, and chronic congestion can affect speech, sleep, learning, and overall quality of life. Having an experienced pediatric ENT specialist nearby means families can receive expert care without the long drive.

Whether your symptoms are new or ongoing, many ENT conditions can be treated effectively, especially when they’re evaluated early.

Committed to Caring for Rural Communities

For Dr. Bancroft, practicing medicine is about more than treating symptoms. It’s about ensuring people can access high-quality specialty care close to home.

Originally from Illinois, he earned his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University before graduating summa cum laude from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences with his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree.

He completed his residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery through Michigan State University in Grand Rapids, receiving advanced training in caring for both pediatric and adult patients.

Throughout his career, Dr. Bancroft has served patients in academic and community healthcare settings, including Indiana University La Porte Hospital and McFarland Clinic in Ames, Iowa, where he was department chair. Those experiences strengthened his commitment to expanding specialty care in rural communities.

Care That’s Close to Home

At Decatur County Hospital, we believe getting the care you need shouldn’t mean spending hours on the road.

Whether it’s a child with recurring ear infections or enlarged tonsils, or an adult living with chronic sinus problems, hearing loss, or swallowing difficulties, families now have a trusted ENT specialist nearby.

Receiving care closer to home means less travel, faster access to appointments, fewer missed days of school or work, and better continuity of care with your local healthcare team.

If you or your child have been living with ongoing ear, nose, or throat concerns, now is the time to get the answers you deserve.

Learn more about our ENT services or schedule an appointment with Dr. Austin Bancroft today by calling 641-446-2285. We’re proud to bring expert ENT care for children and adults closer to home, so your family can spend less time traveling and more time feeling their best.