Symptom Finder - Ear Discharge
Ear Discharge
Naturally, the first thing the physician does is examine for a foreign body, wax, or pus in the external canal with an otoscope. If one of these
substances is apparent, carefully remove it with a curette (plastic is best) or alligator forceps. Irrigation with a water pick after first softening the
cerumen with Debrox is also possible. If one suspects otitis media, test for drum mobility with insufflation through an otoscope with a tight-fitting
speculum. This can be achieved by wrapping a rubber band around the end of the speculum. An exudative otitis media is obvious, but the drum is almost normal looking with a serous otitis media. The easiest way to diagnose fluid behind the drum is to test the hearing by whispering
numbers first in one ear and then the other. If there is no fluid in the inner ear, the patient can hear the whispered numbers at the same distance in both ears, or at least the hearing will be equal in both. It is also possible to use the Weber and Rinne test to detect otitis media (conductive loss on the side of the otitis media). This will be discussed on page 10. Ultimately, a tympanogram may need to be performed, and it reveals a flat line tracing with increasing pressure on the drum with otitis media, where normally there is a curved line.
Naturally, the first thing the physician does is examine for a foreign body, wax, or pus in the external canal with an otoscope. If one of these
substances is apparent, carefully remove it with a curette (plastic is best) or alligator forceps. Irrigation with a water pick after first softening the
cerumen with Debrox is also possible. If one suspects otitis media, test for drum mobility with insufflation through an otoscope with a tight-fitting
speculum. This can be achieved by wrapping a rubber band around the end of the speculum. An exudative otitis media is obvious, but the drum is almost normal looking with a serous otitis media. The easiest way to diagnose fluid behind the drum is to test the hearing by whispering
numbers first in one ear and then the other. If there is no fluid in the inner ear, the patient can hear the whispered numbers at the same distance in both ears, or at least the hearing will be equal in both. It is also possible to use the Weber and Rinne test to detect otitis media (conductive loss on the side of the otitis media). This will be discussed on page 10. Ultimately, a tympanogram may need to be performed, and it reveals a flat line tracing with increasing pressure on the drum with otitis media, where normally there is a curved line.