Ear Examination

What Affects the Test

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

• Earwax, dirt, or an object such as a bean or a bead hiding or blocking the eardrum (tympanic membrane) in the ear canal. Your health professional may need to clean the ear canal before examining the ear.
• Crying. A small child who is upset or crying may have red eardrums. This redness may be confused with an ear infection.
• The inability of some children to sit still during the examination.

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Author:	Monica Rhodes	Last Updated: April 22, 2009
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Donald R. Mintz, MD - Otolaryngology
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