A thorough ear health check not only checks your hearing but also for any physical problems in your ears.
Otoscopy
The audiologist looks down the ear canal using an otoscope (a small instrument containing a light) in order to look at the canal walls and eardrum. He or she can see if there is any redness or swelling and also whether there is a foreign body in the ear or whether the eardrum is perforated.
Eardrum and Middle Ear Function
Tympanometry – the movement of your eardrum when air pressure is changed in your middle ear. This test can detect fluid in the middle ear or a stiff middle ear. The report of this test can highlight any ear health problems affecting your hearing.
Signs of Infection or Inflammation
Inflammation of the outer ear (such as an outer ear infection) within the ear canal may be detected through symptoms such as unusual odour or discharge, as well as signs of inflammation such as reddening or swelling of tissues within the ear canal. See also Audiologist Bristol.
Canal Skin Condition
Any sign of dry, flaking or irritated skin within the ear canal will be recorded. Chronic skin conditions within the ear can be stubborn and require on-going management or even referral to a specialist for further treatment.
Structural Abnormalities
Early identification of abnormal structures within the ear, such as a growth, or bony narrowings within the ear can enable an early referral for follow-up before any problems may arise.
Reported Pain or Discharge
It’s also very important to note down any symptoms that you have described and how these correlate to your general ear health. This may include pain, fullness in the ear, recent discharge from the ear and how long you have had your symptoms for.
A full ear health check enables us to establish a base line or reference point for your ears and to pick up any problems early on, which can be easily treated.