Catch ear infections early! Otoscopes are potential vectors of ear infection. Otoscopes are medical equipment used by doctors to check a patient's ear. The ears may also be examined if an ear infection is suspected due to fever, ear pain, or hearing loss.
An otoscope is handheld medical equipment with a light, a magnifying lens, and a funnel-shaped viewing piece with a narrow, pointed end (speculum). Home ear examinations, when performed under the guidance of a health professional, can be helpful for parents of young children who frequently get ear infection and earaches.
An otoscope or auriscope is used to look into the ears. Health care providers use otoscopes to screen for illness during regular check-ups and also to investigate when a symptom involves the ears. With an otoscope, it is possible to visualize the outer ear and middle ear. Diseases which may be diagnosed by an otoscope include otitis media and otitis externa, infection of the middle and outer parts of the ear, respectively.
An ear examination is a normal part of most physical examinations by a doctor or nurse. It is also done when an ear infection or other type of ear problem is suspected. An otoscope is used to look into the ear canal to see the ear drum. Redness or fluid in the eardrum can indicate an ear infection. Some otoscopes can deliver a small puff of air to the eardrum to see if the eardrum will vibrate. This type of ear examination with an otoscope can also detect a build up of wax in the ear canal, or a rupture or puncture of the eardrum. Otoscopes are also frequently used for examining patients' noses and upper throats.
The new age otoscopes manufactured today have a host of features, which make them user-friendly medical devices. A built in powerful lighting system in these otoscopes enables one to study ones ear properly. Being lightweight and compact makes it easier for doctors to carry them around on daily visits. These otoscopes also have strong magnifying lens that help in pin pointing the root of the ear problem. Otoscopes for home use are also available today, which come with an instruction manual and a case and they operate on aa size batteries. The different bold colors that they are available today are adds a touch of style to these otoscopes.
Many otoscopes used in doctors offices are wall-mounted, while others are portable. Wall-mounted otoscopes are attached by a flexible power cord to a base, which serves to hold the otoscope when it's not in use and also serves as a source of electric power, being plugged into an electric outlet. Portable models are powered by batteries in the handle; these batteries are usually rechargeable and can be recharged from a base unit. Otoscopes are often sold with ophthalmoscopes as a diagnostic set.
