Ruptured Eardrum
How is the condition diagnosed?
The diagnosis of a ruptured eardrum starts with a medical history and physical
examination. Most holes in the eardrum can be seen during an
examination with an otoscope. An otoscope is a lighted microscope with an air pump that is specially designed for the ear.
The healthcare provider may direct a small amount of air into the ear with the otoscope. When there is a hole in the eardrum, the air will not make the eardrum move.
For very small holes, a tympanogram may be useful. A
tympanogram measures eardrum movement and ear canal volume.
A hearing
test can measure the degree of the hearing impairment. A hearing test can show
if there has been damage to the nerve portion of hearing.
|
Previous section
