How Does an ENT Check Your Ears?

An ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) doctor checks your ears primarily using a device called an otoscope.

The Otoscopic Examination

The otoscope allows the ENT to look into your ear canal and examine the eardrum. Here's how it's typically done:

Holding the Otoscope: The ENT will hold the otoscope like a pen, balancing it between their thumb and index finger, as described in the reference video at 1:27. They extend their little finger and use it to rest against the patient's face.
Stability: This technique helps stabilize the otoscope, so if the patient moves, the doctor's hand moves with them, ensuring a safe examination. (1:27 - 3:10)
Visual Inspection: The otoscope has a light and a magnifying lens to see the ear canal and eardrum clearly. The ENT will look for any signs of:
- Infection: Redness, swelling, or pus.
- Earwax buildup: Impacted cerumen.
- Eardrum damage: Perforations, scars, or changes in its appearance.
- Foreign objects: Items that shouldn't be in the ear canal.

The ENT will gently pull the outer ear to straighten the ear canal, which provides a better view.
They carefully insert the speculum (the tip of the otoscope) into your ear canal.
They will look through the otoscope lens, observing the ear canal walls and the eardrum.
The ENT might slightly reposition the otoscope for a complete view.
The other ear is examined in the same manner for comparison purposes.

The ENT examination focuses on identifying the health of the following:

Ear Canal: Checking for any abnormalities like inflammation, lesions, or foreign bodies.
Eardrum (Tympanic Membrane): Assessing its color, clarity, movement, and integrity.

While the otoscope is the primary tool, an ENT might use other tests if further examination is required, such as: