HCA Virginia - July 29, 2019

New Technology Detects Fluid Behind Eardrum

Infant ear infections cause much suffering — for the babies and their parents. Prompt treatment can end the pain and prevent further complications. Getting diagnosed usually requires a trip to the pediatrician, but an experimental smartphone app may change that. With the help of a paper funnel, the app can detect fluid behind the eardrum — a common symptom of ear infection.

The app isn't yet available and won't be until it receives clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). But in a recent study published in Science Translational Medicine, the app performed about as well as a more expensive test usually performed in a pediatrician's office.

How it works

The app, developed by researchers at the University of Washington, uses the microphone and speaker of a phone to emit sound and analyze its reflection (echo) from the eardrum. A simple paper funnel is attached to the phone to focus the sound. By analyzing the echo, the app can detect fluid in the middle ear, which usually (but not always) indicates an infection. Parents in the study found it easy to use.

What to Do Next

If your child shows signs of an ear infection, you'll still need to call the pediatrician. Only a doctor or advanced practice nurse can prescribe the antibiotics needed to fight the infection. But the app could save time and tell you why your baby is fussing or running a fever.

When You Can Get It

The developers have started a company to launch the app and are in the process of seeking FDA approval to market it. That could take several months or longer. They haven't set a price but hope to make it widely available, particularly in developing countries where medical tests and equipment can be harder to access.

In the meantime, the best way to tell if your baby has an ear infection is to watch for these signs:

  • Tugging or pulling at the ear
  • Fussiness and crying
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Fever (especially in infants and younger children)
  • Fluid draining from the ear
  • Clumsiness or problems with balance
  • Trouble hearing or responding to quiet sounds

If you think your baby has an ear infection, call the pediatrician right away for an appointment. Ear infections can lead to hearing loss and other more serious conditions if not treated effectively.

Sources

  • NPR. A smartphone app and a paper funnel could help parents diagnose kids' ear infections. May 15, 2019.
  • Chan J, Raju S, Rajalakshmi N, Bly R, Shyamnath, G. Science Translational Medicine. Detecting middle ear fluid using smartphones. May 15, 2019.
  • National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Ear infections in children. Updated May 12, 2017.

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