
- An otoscope is a medical device that transmits a narrow bright light which allows the technician to see if your employee has something in their ear canal that may alter the hearing test. Most of the time the culprit in this scenario is cerumen (ear wax), though the discovery of an infection or other medical problem may result from this test.

- Inspect the external auditory canal.
- Evaluate tympanic membrane
- Auditory Canal Atresia: The narrowing of the external auditory meatus due to birth abnormalities, polyps, infections, allergies, etcetera.
- Impacted Cerumen: This occurs when excessive wax builds up in the ear canal, making it difficult to visualise the tympanic membrane.
- Otitis Externa: This is referred to as an infection of the outer ear canal due to bacteria, fungal, viruses etc.
- Tympanosclerosis: Scar tissue forming on the tympanic membrane that typically develops due to chronic middle ear infection.
- Perforated Tympanic membrane: A hole in the eardrum or ruptured eardrum.