Diagnosis of Middle Ear Disease

Diagnosis of middle ear disease is based on the history and findings on clinical examination. Direct visual examination of the ear using an otoscope or otoscopic microscope allows assessment of the colour of the eardrum, whether it is bulging or not and the presence, size and location of any perforation and the presence or absence of discharge.

Further audiological examination such as audiometry (measurement of hearing thresholds), tympanometry (measurement of compliance of the tympanic membrane) is used to assess secondary effects of the condition.

Additional investigations may involve bacteriological assessment and blood analysis to identify signs of chronic infection.

In more complex cases, particularly if the effect has spread beyond the middle ear, procedures such as cranial imaging by CT or MRI scanning and tests of vestibular function may be needed.

Amended February 2009