symptoms of ear disorders
ear, nose, and throat disorders
Ear Discharge
The following information can help people with ear discharge decide when a doctor's evaluation is needed and help them know what to expect during the evaluation. In people with ear discharge, certain symptoms and characteristics are cause for concern: Recent major head injury Any neurologic symptoms (such as vertigo or difficulty seeing, speaking, swallowing, and/or talking) Hearing loss in the affected ear Fever Redness and/or swelling of the ear or area around the ear Diabetes or a compromised immune system People with warning signs should see a doctor right away. People without warning signs should see a doctor as soon as possible and avoid getting water in the ear until it can be evaluated. In people with ear discharge, doctors first ask questions about the person's symptoms and medical history. Doctors then do a physical examination. What they find during the history and physical examination often suggests a cause of the ear discharge and the tests that may need to be done (see table). During the medical history, doctors ask about the following: Activities that can affect the ear canal or eardrum (for example, swimming; insertion of objects, including cotton swabs; and use of ear drops) Whether people have had repeated ear infections Any severe head injury During the physical examination, doctors focus on examining the ears, nose, throat, and neurologic system. By examining the ear canal with a light, doctors can usually diagnose Eardrum Perforation , Many causes of ear discharge are clear after the doctor's examination. Possible tests include Audiogram CT scan or MRI If the cause is not clear, doctors usually do a formal hearing test ( Testing ) and 