Otalgia
Patients often complain of pulling pain in the ear, which is described as very uncomfortable (earache). Often, dull, pressing pain is also described. In addition, many patients also complain of hearing disorders (dull listening life) in one or both ears. The earache is often accompanied by a poor general condition and a fever. At times the pain also extends to the head area. Patients sometimes complain of restlessness and irritability, cover their ears and exert light pressure with their hands.
Read more on the topic: Pain ear
Next to the Patient consultation (Anamnesis), in which the doctor always asks about the type of pain, the duration and the beginning, the examination of the ear will be the most important diagnostic tool, initially from the outside and later from the inside. For the external examination, he will look at the auricle and the area of the ear that is directly visible from the outside Swelling and Redness to recognize. The overheating of the ear that is typical for inflammation may be detected by touching it.
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Then he is through a so-called Otoscopy examine the ear canal and eardrum. The instrument (otoscope) is provided with a light, inserted into the ear canal and pushed just in front of the eardrum. The doctor recognizes injuries or redness and narrowing of the auditory canal and can examine the eardrum. This should create a light reflex and neither bulge outwards nor be indented inwards. Furthermore, bleeding and tears in the eardrum could be seen with this diagnostic method. The light reflex generated by the otoscope in a healthy eardrum must be in the right place. With otitis media, the reflex is often gone.
If the doctor does not find any disease during this examination, they remain Earache continue to exist, a specialist in ear, nose and throat medicine should definitely be consulted and a Computed tomography examination of the skull should be considered to rule out a tumorous cause.
