This article will describe what an otoscope is and how it is used during an otoscopy.
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What Is an Otoscope?
An otoscope is a handheld tool with a light and a magnifying lens that allows a healthcare provider a better look inside theear. It has a viewing piece shaped like a funnel with a pointed end called a speculum, which enters the ear canal during an exam.
Apneumaticotoscope is a specific type of otoscope with a rubber bulb that, when squeezed, provides a puff of air to the ear canal. The air inside the ear canal allows the healthcare provider to observe the movement of the eardrum.
More recently, some healthcare providers have used video otoscopes that can transmit images from inside the ear to a larger screen.
What Is an Otoscopy?
Otoscopy is the formal name for an ear examination. Although theearis a small part of the body, it consists of many parts.
There are several reasons you may get an otoscopy:
Role of the Otoscope During an Ear Examination
An adult will typically sit upright during an ear exam, and a young child will lie down with their head turned to the side. The healthcare provider will use one hand to place the otoscope in the ear canal and the other hand to pull the outer ear up and back for a better view inside the ear.
During the exam of a healthy eardrum, the healthcare provider may notice:
During the exam of an eardrum that may have a problem, the healthcare provider may notice:
An otoscopy is usually painless, although if you have anear infection, it may cause some discomfort. A provider usually will stop the exam if the pain worsens.
An otoscopy cannot detect all ear problems, so your provider may recommend additional ear exams orhearing testsif they suspect a more severe problem.
Using an Otoscope for At-Home Exams
Otoscopes are available for home use. A healthcare provider may teach the parents of children with frequent earaches andear infections, for example, how to perform at-home ear examinations. Here are some tips for completing at-home ear examinations:
Make sure to see a healthcare provider if you or someone in your home has the following symptoms:
Summary
An otoscope is an instrument used to examine the ear during an otoscopy (ear exam) to check for blockages in the ear, an ear infection, or wax buildup. Although a healthcare provider is usually the person who performs an otoscopy, some people buy an otoscope for home use if they have a child with frequent ear infections. See a healthcare provider if you or your child is experiencing severe pain, dizziness, or a fever discharge from the ears.
A Word From Verywell
Ear exams are important to check your overall health and to diagnose ear problems. If you have questions about your ear health, you should share them with your healthcare provider.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stanford Children’s Health.Anatomy and physiology of the ear.MyHealth.Alberta.Ca.Ear examination.Falkson SR and Tadi P.Otoscopy. StatPearls.MyHealth.Alberta.Ca.Position of otoscope for ear examination.UCSF Health.Ear examination.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stanford Children’s Health.Anatomy and physiology of the ear.MyHealth.Alberta.Ca.Ear examination.Falkson SR and Tadi P.Otoscopy. StatPearls.MyHealth.Alberta.Ca.Position of otoscope for ear examination.UCSF Health.Ear examination.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Stanford Children’s Health.Anatomy and physiology of the ear.MyHealth.Alberta.Ca.Ear examination.Falkson SR and Tadi P.Otoscopy. StatPearls.MyHealth.Alberta.Ca.Position of otoscope for ear examination.UCSF Health.Ear examination.
Stanford Children’s Health.Anatomy and physiology of the ear.
MyHealth.Alberta.Ca.Ear examination.
Falkson SR and Tadi P.Otoscopy. StatPearls.
MyHealth.Alberta.Ca.Position of otoscope for ear examination.
UCSF Health.Ear examination.
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