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Home ear exam

Home Ear Exam
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Why is a home ear exam done?

A home ear examination may be done to:

  • Look for signs of infection when a person has an earache or when a young child has vague symptoms.
  • Check for a foreign object in the ear, such as an insect or a bean.
  • Check for earwax buildup when a person complains of hearing loss or of fullness or pressure in the ear.

What are some tips for doing a home ear exam?

Always read and follow the use and cleaning instructions that came with your otoscope.

Here are some tips for safely doing a home ear exam.

  • Always move the device slowly and gently while doing the exam. Stop if there's any sign of increased pain.
  • Be especially careful when doing an ear exam on a child. Don't do the exam if the child can't sit still.
  • If the person is having problems with only one ear, examine the other ear first. This may make it easier to see what is different about the affected ear.
  • To see the eardrum better, hold the otoscope in one hand. Use your free hand to pull the outer ear gently up and back. This straightens the ear canal.

How do you prepare for a home ear exam?

No special preparation is needed before having this test. Always remember to clean the ear speculum in hot, soapy water before using it.

What do the results of a home ear exam mean?

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Ear canal

Normal:
  • Ear canals vary in size, shape, and color.
  • The ear canal is skin-colored and contains small hairs and usually some yellowish brown or reddish brown earwax.

Abnormal:
  • Wiggling or pulling on the outer ear causes pain.
  • The ear canal is red, tender, swollen, or filled with pus.
​ ​
Eardrum

Normal:
  • The eardrum is pearly white or light gray, and you can see through it.
  • You can see the tiny bones of the middle ear pushing on the eardrum.
  • You see a cone of light, known as the "light reflex," reflecting off the surface of the eardrum. This cone of light is at the 5 o'clock position in the right ear and at the 7 o'clock position in the left ear.

Abnormal:
  • The light reflex on the eardrum is dull or absent
  • The eardrum is red and bulging.
  • You can often see amber liquid or bubbles behind the eardrum.
  • You can see a hole in the eardrum (perforation).
  • You can see whitish scars on the surface of the eardrum.
  • If your child has had a tube placed in an ear, you may also see the tiny plastic tube, which is usually blue or green.
  • The eardrum is blocked by earwax or an object, such as a bean or a bead.

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The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.

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