Researchers have created a way for a
smartphone to “hear” a warning sign of ear
infections — fluid buildup behind the eardrum.
If it pans out, parents might one day check their
tots’ ears at home simply using a phone app and
“stuff you have around the house — paper, tape
and scissors,” said one of the lead researchers, Dr.
Sharat Raju of the University of Washington.
Ear infections are one of the most common
reasons for pediatrician visits. Even if there’s no
infection, fluid that builds up in the middle ear
still can be painful and sometimes can muffle
hearing enough to affect speech development.
Diagnosis is difficult. Usually a pediatrician will
peek into the child’s ear to see if the eardrum is
inflamed, and parents can buy devices that use
cameras to do the same thing. But ear specialists
tend to use pricier, more complex tests that
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