Ear examinations are a routine part of many medical check-ups, offering a window into a person’s overall health. These assessments reveal diagnostic clues, helping doctors detect issues early and prevent more serious health complications. The insights gained can guide treatment plans and monitor ongoing care.
What Doctors Assess During an Ear Exam
During an ear examination, doctors use an otoscope, a handheld tool with a light and magnifying lens, to observe several parts of the ear. This visual assessment begins with the outer ear, or pinna. Doctors look for redness, swelling, deformities, or skin lesions, as these can indicate inflammation, infection, or other conditions.
Moving inward, the doctor examines the ear canal, also known as the external auditory canal. A healthy ear canal typically appears skin-colored and may contain a small amount of yellowish-brown earwax, which is a normal protective substance. Deviations from this normal appearance, such as redness, swelling, or discharge, can point to an issue. Foreign bodies, like small objects or insects, can also be identified within the ear canal.
The examination then focuses on the eardrum, or tympanic membrane, which separates the ear canal from the middle ear. In a healthy state, the eardrum is typically a light-gray or shiny pearly-white color, with a visible “cone of light” reflection. Doctors assess its translucency, position (bulging or retracted), and mobility. Using a pneumatic otoscope, a small puff of air observes eardrum movement; decreased movement often indicates fluid behind it.
Conditions Identified Through Ear Examinations
Observations made during an ear exam can lead to the diagnosis of several common ear conditions. Ear infections are identified. Otitis media, an infection of the middle ear, often presents with a red, bulging eardrum that may show decreased movement when air is introduced. Fluid or bubbles visible behind the eardrum can also indicate middle ear infection or fluid buildup, sometimes referred to as “glue ear.”
Otitis externa, or “swimmer’s ear,” is an infection of the outer ear canal. This condition is often characterized by redness and swelling of the ear canal, accompanied by pain that worsens when the outer ear is touched or pulled. Discharge from the ear canal, which can be clear, pus-filled, or even bloody, is another sign of infection, particularly if the eardrum has perforated.
Earwax impaction, a buildup of earwax blocking the ear canal, is visible during an otoscopic exam. This blockage can lead to muffled hearing or a feeling of fullness. A perforated eardrum, a hole or tear in the tympanic membrane, is observed and results from infection, trauma, or sudden pressure changes. Foreign objects lodged in the ear canal, ranging from small beads to cotton swab fragments, are identified, causing pain or irritation.