Ear examination Health Article

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 shines through the otoscope 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 when pressed. 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 health care provider 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 health care provider 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. Light should reflect off the eardrum surface.