The diagnostic process of observing the external ear canal and the eardrum using an otoscope. The physician pulls the top of the ear up and back to straighten the ear canal, which provides a clear view of the canal and eardrum when the curved tip of the otoscope is inserted into the canal. This examination may reveal a number of disorders and diseases of the external ear canal, the eardrum, and the middle ear. Otoscopy cannot measure a person’s hearing level.