Diagnosis of Otitis media

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

| A |

| B |

| C |

| D |

| E |

| F |

| G |

| H |

| I |

| J |

| K |

| L |

| M |

| N |

| O |

| P |

| Q |

| R |

| S |

| T |

| U |

| V |

| W |

| X |

| Y |

The diagnosis is made from the symptoms and by examining the eardrum with an instrument called an auriscope or otoscope. It has a light that is shone instead the ear, and a magnifying glass so that the doctor can see more detail.

An auriscope cannot see inside the middle ear but the doctor can use it to see whether there is any fluid leaking out into the outer ear. It is also possible to examine the eardrum, which gives some clues to what is happening inside the ear.

You may be asked to pinch your nose and close your mouth, then gently blow out. Alternatively, an instrument may be used to blow a puff of air into your ear. If your Eustachian tube is clear, the eardrum will move slightly, but if it is blocked, the eardrum will remain still. This examination will also show if the eardrum is perforated.

The eardrum is usually pink, but in otitis media, it becomes red or yellow and may look a little lumpy. It may also be bulging outwards as a result of the pressure of the mucus.