According to the Mayo Clinic, middle ear infections are sometimes difficult to diagnose because there's no way to be sure if fluid in the middle ear is infected, or if an infection is caused by a virus or a bacterium.
During the exam, your doctor will likely check your child's head and neck and use a lighted instrument (otoscope) to look inside the ear canal and also check the eardrum.
A bulging eardrum or one that has changed color may indicate infection. The doctor may also look for a strep throat infection or enlarged, swollen tonsils.
Some tests may be needed if your child has had fluid in the middle ear for some time:
- Tympanogram
- Audiogram
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