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Ear Examination
About this test
An ear examination is a thorough evaluation
of the ears 
that is done to screen for ear problems, such as
hearing loss, ear pain, discharge, lumps, or objects in the ear. An ear
examination can detect problems in the ear canal, eardrum, and the middle ear,
such as
infection, excessive
earwax, or an object like a bean or a bead.
During an ear examination, an instrument called an
otoscope is used to look at the outer ear canal and
eardrum. An otoscope is a handheld instrument with a light, a magnifying lens,
and 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. This allows the doctor to see how the eardrum moves.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: January 13, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics Charles M. Myer, III, MD - Otolaryngology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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