What should you know about otoscope use in ENT?

ENT means ear, nose, and throat care. The otoscope is mainly used for the ear portion of an assessment. It can help reveal wax, canal irritation, discharge, a foreign object, or an eardrum that appears inflamed or retracted. A clinician may also examine the nose and throat, check hearing or balance, and review how symptoms developed. A normal-looking ear does not explain every cause of ear pressure or hearing difficulty, so further assessment may sometimes be needed.

Bring a clear description of pain, fullness, ringing, discharge, dizziness, or hearing change. Mention recent swimming, travel, injury, surgery, or attempts to remove wax. Keep still while the clinician positions the [Otoscope](/technology/otoscope/) and say if the ear is painful. Children may benefit from a calm [Child Health Consultation](/treatments/consultations-and-assessment/child-health-consultation/) where the examination can be paced to their comfort.

Seek an assessment for ongoing ear pain, new discharge, reduced hearing, or repeated dizziness. Sudden hearing loss, severe vertigo, facial weakness, or bleeding after an injury needs urgent care. Do not insert cotton buds, keys, or other objects while waiting, because this can damage the canal or eardrum.

Ask whether the eardrum was visible, whether the symptoms seem to come from the ear or another ENT area, and whether hearing assessment is needed. Confirm the treatment plan and whether follow-up should be with an ENT clinician or a [GP Consultation](/treatments/consultations-and-assessment/gp-consultation/).