Medical supplies: otoscope explained

The device has a handle, light, viewing head, and a clean disposable or reusable speculum that fits at the entrance of the ear. It can help a clinician look for earwax, irritation, swelling, fluid, discharge, or changes to the eardrum. The view is only one part of an assessment; symptoms and hearing findings also matter.

The ear canal is delicate. Inserting an otoscope forcefully, using the wrong speculum, or trying to examine a painful ear at home can cause injury. An otoscope does not by itself diagnose every cause of ear pain, blocked hearing, dizziness, or discharge.

Tell the clinician about pain, fever, discharge, recent swimming, hearing change, injury, or anything placed in the ear. Keep still during the examination, particularly when a child is being assessed. Do not use cotton buds or insert a home device to remove wax or inspect a painful ear. A GP consultation can assess many ear concerns, while a child health consultation may be helpful when symptoms occur in a child.

Arrange medical review for persistent ear pain, new hearing loss, discharge, repeated infections, or symptoms after an injury. Seek urgent care for severe pain, sudden hearing loss, significant bleeding, marked dizziness, facial weakness, or a child who appears very unwell. Do not delay assessment because an otoscope view at home looks normal.

Ask what the examination showed, whether wax or infection is present, whether hearing should be checked, and which symptoms should prompt review. Ask how to keep the ear safe and whether an otoscope examination needs repeating.