A 47-year-old member asked:
Can an inner ear infection be seen with an otoscope?
5 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Anna Meyeranswered
Pediatric ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Not commonly: If you mean sudden hearing loss or dizziness that a doctor has diagnosed as vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis, usually you cannot see signs of this with an otoscope. However, sometimes similar symptoms are also brought on by a middle ear infection (acute otitis media) and that would be visible with an otoscope.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Kevin Windischanswered
Pediatrics 27 years experience
No: You cannot see the inner ear with an otoscope. To visualize the inner ear, which is encased in bone, you need an mri.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Patrick Melderanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 29 years experience
No: The inner ear is housed in dense bone (densist in the body) behind the ear drum. "inner ear infections" - labrynthitis are usually diagnosed with a good history.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
Dr. Kevin Windischanswered
Pediatrics 27 years experience
No: The middle ear is visible across the tympanic membrane but the inner ear is burried deep within the temporal bone and cannot be visualized on physical exam.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
Define "inner ear": I have seen some people describe the typical middle ear infection as being an inner ear ( instead of canal) infection. The infections of the "inner ear" meaning the organ of corti where sound is processed cannot be seen by anyone with any instrument.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
Similar questions
SC
A male asked:
How can I tell if I have a inner ear infection?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Heidi Fowleranswered
Psychiatry 27 years experience
To determine: type of ear infection - recommend medical evaluation. It isn't something that you would automatically be able to self diagnose by listing sx's. Take care
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Jan 6, 2020
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