How do doctors use the eardrum to diagnose otitis media?

Doctors diagnose otitis media primarily by evaluating the condition of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) through two main methods:

• Visual Examination: Physicians perform a careful inspection of the eardrum’s appearance and mobility. A healthy eardrum is typically pearl gray, but in cases of inflammation or infection, it may appear pink or yellow.12
• Tympanometry: This diagnostic technique uses a handheld instrument to change air pressure within the ear canal while producing a pure tone. Because the eardrum reflects sound back into the ear canal, doctors can measure this reflection to determine if the membrane has become stiff, which often indicates the presence of fluid in the middle ear.31

These assessments are critical because fluid accumulation impedes the normal vibratory movements of the eardrum and the ossicular chain, which can lead to hearing impairment. If left untreated, the pressure from accumulated fluid can cause the eardrum to tear or rupture.42