Hearing is governed by the normal functioning of the ears, the nervous system and the brain. The ear itself can be divided into three parts, the outer, middle and inner ear. The outer ear only serves to channel sounds into the middle ear. Here, the sounds vibrate a membrane and cause the bones of the ear to move. This movement is picked up and transmitted to the brain through the nervous system. The function of the inner ear is associated with the balance of an individual. The canals in the inner ear help with the maintenance of balance, something that is essential for normal sitting, walking, jogging and running.
An ear test is a medical test conducted on any aspect of the ear. An ear test needs to be differentiated from a hearing test. Hearing tests are used to determine the level of hearing. On the other hand an ear test or an ear exam is used to check the physical health of the ear and to check for abnormalities and infections. Once familiar with the ear anatomy test can be conducted to check for defects in the ear. The outer ear can be easily tested using just a torch and a visual examination. The doctor can check to see if there is any obvious sign of infection or damage. Ear tests are usually conducted when the patient reports some discomfort in the ear. A hearing test will be ordered if the patient reports some difficulty with hearing. However, if there is pain and discomfort in the ears, the patient will undergo an ear test.
Vertigo is a condition where the individual has some trouble with balance and a sense of depth. This happens when there is an infection or problem in the inner ear. The doctor may examine the ear externally to check for any signs of infection. Otherwise an ear test for vertigo will be conducted. This type of inner ear test needs to be done by a specialist doctor who has some experience in dealing with such cases. However, the location of the inner ear is such that it cannot be accessed by any medical tools. Therefore, the patient needs to undergo an interview process where the various symptoms are described before the ear infection test is actually conducted. Based on this, and any visible symptoms of infection, the doctor will be able to prescribe the treatment needed to sort the issue out. Vertigo is a condition that can be extremely debilitating simply because the individual may not be able to stand still or sit still without feeling disoriented.