Examination of the Ear
With a mirror and good light, examine closely the ear skin and shell; look for any obvious blocking of the ear canal and test the ear’s hearing ability in the suggested manner.
1. Examine the external ear for any soreness, bleeding or discharge from the ear canal. These findings can mean infection, skin cancer or infection from the inner ear.
2. Gently pull the ear upward and backward, and use a double mirror to sight into the ear canal. Blockage prob
ably means impacted wax, or if it is painful, an infection in the ear canal.
3. Tap the hard mastoid bone, directly behind the ear with the fingertips and note any soreness or tenderness which
may indicate infection in the middle ear.
4. Achieve complete silence by holding a pillow to both ears, and note any ringing or buzzing noise, which usually means otosclerosis.
Fig. 14. The design of the outside ear traps sound waves for delivery against the eardrum. There are many different shapes and sizes, all apparently effective. The covering skin is subject to several skin diseases, including skin cancer.
5. Note any dizziness after rapidly turning the head from side to side twenty times, and then facing directly forward. Dizziness or unsteadiness may indicate labyrinthitis, an irritation of the balance mechanism in the far inner ear.
6. Test hearing ability by holding a ticking watch six inches away from the ear and check against the other. Inability to hear watch ticking can mean drum or nerve deafness.
7. Wrap the handle of an ordinary table knife in a cloth and grasp firmly between the teeth. Pluck the blade to start it vibrating and note the ability to hear the “vibration.” When vibration cannot be heard, nerve deafness may be
present.