Ear examination

The provider may dim the lights in the room. A young child will be asked to lie on their 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 provider will gently…

No preparation is needed for this test.

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

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 provider see if treatment for an ear problem is working.

The ear canal differs in size, shape, and color from person to person. 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.

Ear infections are a common problem, especially with small children. A dull or absent light reflex from the eardrum may be a sign of a middle ear infection or fluid. The eardrum may be red and bulging if there is an infection. Amber liquid or bubbles behind the eardrum are often seen if fluid collects in the middle…

An infection can be spread from one ear to the other if the instrument used to look inside the ear has not been cleaned well.

Not all ear problems can be detected by looking through an otoscope. Other ear and hearing tests may be needed. Otoscopes sold for at-home use are lower quality than the ones used at the provider's office. Parents may not be able to recognize some of the subtle signs of an ear problem. See a provider if there are…

Murr AH. Approach to the patient with nose, sinus, and ear disorders. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine . 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 398. Wareing MJ, Warner E. Ear, nose and throat. In: Glynn M, Drake WM, eds. Hutchison's Clinical Methods . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier;…