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Pneumatic otoscopy is a quick and simple procedure that uses a device to observe how the eardrum responds to changes in pressure. It can indicate the presence of fluid or infection in the middle ear and allows for immediate diagnosis and treatment. Patients need not prepare, but must remain still during the procedure.
Pneumatic otoscopy is a procedure used to determine the current level of motion associated with an eardrum. Doctors use a device known as a pneumatic otoscope to observe how the eardrum responds to changes in pressure. A procedure of this type is often employed when some type of infection or a collection of fluid in the middle ear is suspected.
The process of conducting a pneumatic otoscopy is simple and takes very little time. The otoscope head is placed in a position that allows the doctor to use a lens to get a clear view of the eardrum. Once the device is properly aligned, the small rubber bulb on the otoscope is pressed down, creating a small puff of air that enters the ear. This creates a pressure change against the eardrum and allows your doctor to see how the eardrum responds to the pressure change.
If pneumatic otoscopy reveals that the eardrum moves easily when the change in air pressure is created, this is a good indication that no fluid has collected in the middle ear. At the same time, the appearance of the eardrum will also help indicate the presence of an infection that will require treatment to relieve the sense of fullness in the ear and nasal passages that the patient may be experiencing. Because pneumatic otoscopy takes only moments to perform and the results are very easy to read, your doctor can make a diagnosis immediately and start the proper treatment.
The patient does not need to do anything to prepare for pneumatic otoscopy. If there is a collection of excess earwax, your doctor will take steps to remove the earwax before starting the procedure. This makes it much easier to get a clear picture of the condition of the ear canal in general and the eardrum in particular.
While the pneumatic otoscopy is in progress, it is imperative that the patient remain still. Because the doctor holds the otoscope in one hand and uses the other hand to gently move the ear as needed, patients often find it helpful to be lying flat on an examination table, with the head turned to allow easy access to the ear to test . While the patient is likely to feel some discomfort when an infection is present, the otoscopy only lasts a few moments, making pain management much easier until the test is complete. Once treatment for any ear problem is underway, the rapid response to medication usually makes the brief period of pain during the otoscopy seem inconsequential.
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