Medical Tests

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X All Medical Tests

Ear Examination

Definition

During an ear examination, the doctor looks inside your ear using an instrument called an otoscope.

Alternative Names

Otoscopy

How the test is performed

The health care provider may dim the lights in the room.

A young child will be asked to lie on his or her back with the head turned to the side, or the child's head may rest against an adult's chest.

Older children and adults may sit with the head tilted toward the shoulder opposite the ear being examined.

The health care provider will gently pull up, back, or forward on the ear to straighten the ear canal. Then, the tip of the otoscope will be placed gently into your ear. A light beam (attached to the scope) shines into the ear canal. The health care provider will carefully move the scope in different directions to see the inside of the ear and eardrum. Sometimes, this view may be blocked by earwax.

The otoscope may have a plastic bulb on it, which delivers a tiny puff of air into the outer ear canal. This is done to see how the eardrum moves. Decreased movement can mean that there is fluid in the middle ear.

How to prepare for the test

No preparation is needed for this test.

How the test will feel

If there is an ear infection, there may be some discomfort or pain. The doctor will stop the test if the pain gets worse.

Why the test is performed

An ear exam may be done if you have an earache, ear infection, hearing loss, or other ear symptoms.

Examining the ear also helps the doctor see if treatment for a certain ear problem is working.

Normal Values

Everyone's ear canal differs in size, shape, and color. Normally, the canal is skin-colored and has small hairs. Yellowish-brown earwax may be present. The eardrum is a light-gray color or a shiny pearly-white. A cone of light (light reflex) should reflect off the eardrum surface.

What abnormal results mean

Ear infections are a common problem, especially with small children. Middle ear infections may be present if the light reflex is dull or absent. The eardrum may be red and bulging. Amber liquid or bubbles behind the eardrum are often seen if fluids collect in the middle ear.

An external ear infection may be present if the ear canal is red, tender, swollen, painful when wiggling or pulling on the outer ear, or if the canal is filled with yellowish-green pus.

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

• Cholesteatoma
• External ear infection - chronic
• Ruptured or perforated eardrum

What the risks are

If the ear speculum is not disinfected, an infection can be spread from one ear to the other.

Special considerations

Not all ear problems can be detected by looking through an otoscope. Additional ear and hearing tests may be needed.

Otoscopes sold for at-home use are lower quality than the ones used at the doctor's office. Parents may not be able to recognize some of the subtle signs of an ear problem. If there are symptoms of severe ear pain, hearing loss, dizziness, fever, ringing in the ears, or ear discharge or bleeding , see the health care provider.

References

Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. St Louis, Mo; Mosby; 2005:8-11.

Behrman RE. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 17th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders: 2004; 2140.

Review Date: 2/12/2007

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright ©2003 A.D.A.M., Inc., as modified by University of California San Francisco. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Information developed by A.D.A.M., Inc. regarding tests and test results may not directly correspond with information provided by UCSF Medical Center. Please discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have.