Earache (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
Exams and Tests
A physician diagnoses otitis externa or otitis media after examining the ear with an instrument called an otoscope. In general, x-rays and other tests are unnecessary.
- Otoscopy
- The otoscope has a bright light that shines through a speculum, which is inserted into the ear canal.
- A lens on the other side magnifies the view of the ear.
- In otitis externa, the ear canal will look swollen and inflamed. There may be a thick drainage visible.
- In otitis media, the eardrum will look red and inflamed, and it will not move normally if the physician gives a puff of air through the instrument.
- Hearing test for otitis media
- A hearing test sometimes is performed if the person has had many ear infections over time.
- Laboratory tests in otitis externa
- Sometimes, a sample of drainage from the ear is sent to the laboratory in an attempt to identify the specific bacteria causing the infection.
- Sending the sample to the laboratory is not needed in most cases and usually is reserved for infections that do not respond to normal treatment.
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Otitis Media »
Otitis media (OM) is the second most common disease of childhood, after upper respiratory infection (URI).

