Ear test
Alternative names:
otoscope; test for ear infection; test for otitis externa; test for otitis media
How the test is performed:
Dim the lights in the room. Position a young child on the back with the head turned to the side. The child can also be held by an adult with the child's head resting against an adult's chest. Older children and adults may sit with the head tilted toward the shoulder opposite the ear being examined.
The hand holding the otoscope should be securely braced against the side of the head so that sudden movements will be absorbed by the hand and not the otoscope. The outer ear is grasped by the free hand and gently pulled up, back, or forward, to help straighten the ear canal for better viewing. The ear speculum (a cone-shaped viewing piece of the otoscope) is slowly inserted into the ear canal while looking into the otoscope. The speculum is angled slightly toward the person's nose to follow the canal. The speculum is not inserted deeply. The light beam will extend beyond the viewing tip of the speculum. The otoscope is gently moved to different angles to view the canal walls and eardrum. The view may be blocked by earwax.
How to prepare for the test:
The ear speculum (a cone-shaped viewing piece of the otoscope) should be cleaned in hot soapy water and disinfected by soaking it in rubbing alcohol for at least 10 minutes. Select the largest ear speculum that will fit comfortably in the ear canal.
Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experience, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:
How the test will feel:
If an infection is present there may be some discomfort or pain. Stop the test if there is an increase in pain.
Why the test is performed:
Examining the ear can reveal the cause of symptoms such as an earache, the ear feeling full, or hearing loss. In young children, the only symptoms of an ear infection may be tugging at the ear, crankiness, or fever. Examining the ear is a useful means of monitoring the effectiveness of treatments for some ear problems.
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