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Ear Examination

Test Overview

An ear examination is a thorough check of the ears. It is done to screen for ear problems, such as hearing loss, ear pain, discharge, lumps, or objects in the ear. An ear examination can find problems in the ear canal, eardrum, and middle ear. These problems may include infection, too much earwax, or an object like a bean or a bead.

During an ear examination, a tool called an otoscope is used to look at the outer ear canal and eardrum. An otoscope is a hand-held tool with a light and a magnifying lens. It also has a funnel-shaped viewing piece with a narrow, pointed end called a speculum. A pneumatic otoscope has a rubber bulb that your doctor can squeeze to give a puff of air into the ear canal. The air helps the doctor to see how the eardrum moves.

Information about Ear Examination

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Information about Ear Examination

Current as of: September 27, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff

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