Ear Examinations

anatomy of the outer ear

• pinna

• external auditory meatus

• lateral surface of tympanic membrane

anatomy of the middle ear

• medial surface of tympanic membrane

• tympanic cavity

• mastoid air cells

• eustachian tube

inner ear anatomy

history taking - 5 questions

• pain

• discharge

• infections

• surgery - operations

• perforations

otoscopy - method before examinations

• wash hands

• instruct patient clearly as to what the procedure involves and will happen

• consent

• brief history

method - during examination

• correct size speculum

• left ear left hand and vice versa

• pink finger touching face

• pull pinna gently back and up to open and straighten ear canal

• guide speculum into ear approx 1cm should be in ear-canal

• observe tympanic membrane

• dispose of used speculum and wash hands

what should a normal eardrum look like

• pearly grey appearance

• handle of malleus sometimes flushed

possible sights and conditions

• wax

• foreign bodies

• infection

• discharge

• blood

• swelling

• boils, polyps

• perforations

• mastoid cavity

• grommets

otitis externa

• affects ear canal and eardrum

fungal aspergillus niger

otitis media

• occurs behind the eardrum

• fluid (bubbles and lines) behind retracted semi-opaque ear drums

perforations

• two types

• traumatic and sub total

grommets (ventilation tube)

• In situ and extruding