Diagnosing Middle Ear Problems

If an ear problem seems likely, the doctor will examine your child and view both eardrums. Tests may be done to check the condition of the middle ear or to measure any hearing loss. Treatment recommendations will be based on results of the exam and any tests, as well as your child’s health history.

Examining Your Child

The physical exam helps the doctor determine the specific type of ear problem affecting your child. The exam also helps identify any respiratory illnesses, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, or strep throat. The doctor listens to your child’s heart and lungs and looks in the ears, nose, and throat.

Viewing the Eardrum

If the doctor suspects a middle ear problem, pneumatic otoscopy is almost always performed. Using a special device (otoscope) to look down the ear canal, the doctor views the eardrum and any fluid behind it. Once in place, the device can also be used to change the amount of air pressure in the canal, so the doctor can see how flexible the eardrum is. Reduced eardrum flexibility is often linked with fluid buildup. Pneumatic otoscopy takes just seconds and rarely causes discomfort.

Checking the Middle Ear

Your child’s eardrum and middle ear may be tested to learn how well they are working. Tympanometry and acoustic reflex testing both use a probe to send air and sound through the outer ear. Tympanometry measures the amount of sound passed into the middle ear. Acoustic reflex testing evaluates the eardrum’s flexibility and its response to loud sounds.

Identifying Hearing Loss

To learn if a young child has trouble hearing, the doctor or a hearing specialist may talk or play with the youngster. The child’s response to changes in the speaker’s voice helps identify hearing loss. Older children and adults may be given an audiometric test. Test results are used to identify the types of sounds that can and cannot be heard.