Pneumatic otoscopy is a test that allows a healthcare provider to visually examine a patient’s eardrum (tympanic membrane) to see how well it moves in response to pressure changes inside the ear.

The test is performed with a pneumatic otoscope, a handheld instrument with a light that the examiner uses to look into the ear. This instrument is similar to a more traditional otoscope, but has a rubber bulb attached that allows the examiner to send a small puff of air into the ear. This changes the pressure inside, and the healthcare professional can watch how the eardrum responds to pressure changes.

While a traditional otoscopic exam is a standard part of any routine health examination, pneumatic otoscopy will not be performed unless a physician suspects that the patient suffers from recurring ear infections (otitis media) or fluid in the middle ear (otitis media with effusion).

Allergic conditions, such as allergic rhinitis (hay fever), can trigger many symptoms related to people’s ears. Sometimes, severe nasal allergies cause inflammation and blockage of the eustachian tube, which connects the nose to the middle ear. The tube is designed to allow air into the middle ear, and to drain fluid from the ears into the nasal cavity. When the eustachian tube fails to work properly, a number of ear conditions can develop including fluid collection, recurrent ear infections, ear pressure and pain, decreased hearing, ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and dizziness (vertigo).