What should you know about otoscope with tweezers?

The light and viewing tip help the clinician see the ear canal. The tweezers may be useful for carefully handling an accessible foreign object or a small amount of material when it is safe to do so. They are not suitable for blind probing. The position of an object, the condition of the ear canal, and the appearance of the eardrum determine whether removal is appropriate.

Do not try to copy the procedure at home with household tweezers, cotton buds, or clips. Keep the ear dry if it is painful or draining, and describe when the problem began. Mention previous ear surgery, a perforated eardrum, diabetes, or medicines that affect bleeding. An assessment may take place during a [Child Health Consultation](/treatments/consultations-and-assessment/child-health-consultation/) or [GP Consultation](/treatments/consultations-and-assessment/gp-consultation/).

Seek prompt care after an object enters the ear, particularly if there is pain, bleeding, discharge, reduced hearing, or dizziness. Batteries and sharp objects need urgent medical attention. Do not delay if a child is distressed or cannot keep still, because movement can injure the canal.

Ask whether the object is visible, whether removal is safe in the current setting, what symptoms to watch for afterwards, and whether the eardrum was seen clearly.