What should you know about home otoscope?

An otoscope uses light and magnification to look into the ear canal and toward the eardrum. Wax, a narrow canal, movement or poor lighting can hide important areas. Redness may follow irritation, and a dull or cloudy eardrum can have several explanations, so a photograph or video is not a diagnosis.

Never assume that a normal-looking view rules out pain, hearing loss or infection. The device also cannot measure hearing or show every structure behind the eardrum. In young children, the canal is small and movement can make insertion unsafe.

Use only a clean device with a suitable tip, follow its instructions and look without forcing the tip into the canal. Do not use it to scrape wax, push against the eardrum or investigate an ear with a tube, recent surgery, discharge or possible perforation. Stop if there is pain, bleeding, dizziness or distress.

Record when symptoms began and whether there is fever, discharge, reduced hearing or recent swimming, travel or respiratory illness. For a child, a [Child Health Consultation](/treatments/consultations-and-assessment/child-health-consultation/) allows the ear to be examined safely. Adults can arrange a [GP Consultation](/treatments/consultations-and-assessment/gp-consultation/).

Seek prompt medical care for severe ear pain, new hearing loss, blood or pus from the ear, a high fever, swelling behind the ear, facial weakness or severe dizziness. A baby or child who is unusually sleepy, difficult to settle or very unwell needs prompt assessment even if the home view looks normal.

Ask whether the canal and eardrum look healthy, whether wax is contributing to the symptoms, whether hearing should be checked and which treatment is safe. Show a recording only as background; the clinician may need to examine the ear directly.