A MRI can show inner ear damage and even other conditions that are related to the inner ear damage.
The MRI can provide the doctor with detailed images of your inner ear structures as well as nerves that can help the doctor diagnose abnormalities in the ear, ear infections and even tumors.
The MRI can visualize the auditory and vestibular nerves as well as your inner ear structures such as your cochlea and semicircular canals.
The MRI can detect any abnormalities such as tumors, infections, inflammation or structural malformations and the MRI is also helpful in diagnosing conditions such as Meniere's disease, hearing loss and vestibular disorders.
MRIs can also show soft tissue details which is why an MRI is often preferred for inner ear and auditory nerve issues.
A doctor cannot see inner ear problems through physical examinations.
However doctors can diagnose and address any inner ear problems through a combination of physical exam, balance tests and other diagnostic tools.
Doctors will examine your ears and check your hearing and assess your balance by observing how you walk and how you maintain your balance.
A balance test such as electronystagmography or videonystagmography assesses your eye movements which are linked to your inner ear function and balance.
Doctors may also order imaging tests such as MRI or CT scans to visualize your inner ear and surrounding structures and blood tests, lumbar punctures and other specialized tests may be done to rule out any possible conditions which could be causing the similar symptoms.
And in more complex cases your doctor may refer you to an otolaryngologist or ENT.
An ear assessment is done by using an otoscope to do a physical exam of the ear canal and eardrum and then hearing tests such as pure tone audiometry and speech tests are often done as well as middle ear function tests such as a tympanometry.
A doctor will assess your ears using an otoscope which is a handheld instrument that has a light and magnifying lens to look into your ear canal and examine your eardrum.
The otosocope will help the doctor to assess the condition of your ear canal and look for signs of inflammation, infection and excessive wax buildup.
Your eardrum's appearance which includes the color, integrity and movement is examined to identify any abnormalities or signs of disease.
And the doctor will gently insert a speculum into your ear canal while looking into the otosocope and ensure your ear canal is straight for optimal viewing.
A pure tone audiometry test will be done to asses your hearing and determine the softest sounds you can hear at different frequencies.
Abnormal findings in the ear exam are a swollen or pus filled ear canal, red, tender ear canal, perforated eardrum, amber or liquid or bubbles behind your eardrum, red and bulging eardrum or a dull or absent light reflex.
A dull or absent light or reflex from your eardrum can be a sign of a middle ear infection or fluid.
A normal eardrum will reflect light and create a cone of light pattern and a dull or absent reflex can indicate fluid or inflammation in your middle ear.
A red and bulging eardrum is a classic sign of a middle ear infection and an amber liquid or bubbles behind your eardrum indicate fluid accumulation in the middle ear, and is often associated with an ear infection or fluid buildup.
A perforated eardrum is a hole in the eardrum which can occur due to infection, trauma or pressure changes.
Retracted eardrums can occur with Eustachian tube dysfunction, in which the eardrum pulls inward.
And Tympanosclerosis is a condition that involves scarring and thickening of your eardrum and often appears as chalky white patches.
Red, tender, swollen or pus filled ear canals can be signs that point to an external ear infection.
Granulation Tissue can be a sign of a cholesteatoma, which is an abnormal collection of skin cells in your middle ear.
Ear canal edema and Erythema are signs of inflammation and swelling in your ear canal.
And thick seropurulent Otorrhea refers to thick, yellowish or greenish discharge from your ear canal which can be malodorous.
When a doctor checks your ears it's called an otoscopy.
An ear exam by a doctor is called an otoscopy which is a medical term for a visual examination of your ear canal and your eardrum using a tool called an otoscope.
The otoscope is a handheld instrument that has a light and a magnifying lens which allows the doctor to see inside of your ear canal and your eardrum.
Ear exams by a doctor are done to check for various different ear problems like ear infections, hearing loss, ear pain or to check for any excessive earwax or foreign objects inside your ear canal.
The physical ear exam using an otoscope is not painful but if you have an ear infection then the otoscope being put into your ear may cause some mild pain.
The doctor checks you ears when sick to also check if there is a problem with your eustachian tube and opens dialog fluid behind the eardrum.
A normal eardrum will flex inward and outward in responses to changes in pressure.
A doctor using tools like an otoscope and curettes can identify infections, earwax impaction and more.
A doctor can also clean out your ears which is called a cerumenectomy which is the removal of earwax from your ears.
In most cases ear wax blockages respond to at home treatments that are designed to soften the earwax so it can be removed easily by yourself but sometimes you may need to or want a doctor to do a good cleaning of the ears.