Otoscopic Examinations

Otoscopic Examinations

n otoscopic examination allows us to look at your ear canal and eardrum to visually check for wax or foreign bodies. The tympanic membrane, or eardrum, serves as the window into the middle ear. Direct observation of the tympanic membrane and external auditory canal through an otoscope ear light, offers valuable information about possible problems within the outer and middle ear.

Potential problems include:

• Excess earwax, which can build up and obstruct the ear canal, preventing sound from reaching your eardrum.
• A foreign object or matter in the ear canal.
• Any anomalies, such as perforation of the eardrum or fluid build-up in the middle ear which will require a referral for medical attention.

Some Otoscopic Examination Results

Just in case you are curious, here is a list of some of the results found when conducting Otoscopic examinations:

• Normal Tympanic Membrane
• Tympanoscierosis
• Central Perforation of the Tympanic Membrane
• Acute Otitis Externa
• Serous Otitis Media
• Healed Central Perforation
• Exostosis
• Tympanostomy Tube
• Traumatic Perforation
• Adhesive (Atrophic) Otitis Media
• Tympanosclerosis Involving the Ossicles
• Keratosis Obturans
• Red Reflex
• Otomycosis
• Foreign Body
• Cholsteatoma

If you wish to view these conditions, go to WelchAllyn’s Otoscopic Pathologies page and use the drop-down menu to see the various pathologies.

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