What might affect an ear examination?

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

• Earwax, dirt or an object such as a bean or a bead hiding or blocking the eardrum (tympanic membrane) in the ear canal. Your doctor may need to clean the ear canal before examining the ear.
• Crying. A small child who is upset or crying may have red eardrums. This redness may be confused with an ear infection.
• The inability of some children to sit still during the examination.