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The former, which are often used by doctors, tend to feature a light and lens with about 3x of magnification. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. The brightness is adjustable thanks to the rheostat at the top of the handle, which is easily manipulated with the thumb. A pneumatic otoscope is a specific type of otoscope with a rubber bulb that, when squeezed, provides a puff of air to the ear canal.
A tongue depressor is also included, so you can use this light for checking throats as well as ears.The primary purpose of an otoscope is to visually inspect the ear canal and eardrum for signs of infection, injury, earwax buildup, or other ear-related issues. But once you master it, you can attach one of the many tiny scoop-like tools to conduct your own earwax cleaning. Before inserting the otoscope cone into the ear canal, the outer ear is inspected for any signs of disease that may relate to the patient's symptoms.
Regular inspections with the best otoscope can help you catch problems such as hearing loss, ear pain, discharge or lumps early, and alert your doctor or vet, who can stop them developing further and hopefully treat them. It's vital not to go any further than that, though: beyond here lie the Ossicle bones and nerves – not somewhere to push a camera. This action straightens the external auditory canal, which has a natural curve, and makes it easier to see the eardrum. Improper use of an otoscope may lead to damage to the ear canal, or push earwax further into the ear canal, leading to earwax impaction. And you don't have to be a doctor: anyone can use them as long as you're careful, follow the instructions carefully, and get the appropriate training.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. An otoscope is a relatively simple device that allows you to peek into someone's ear canal and get a view of the ear drum (aka tympanic membrane). The appearance of the eardrum in acute otitis media is dependent on the time that the infection has been present. The healthcare provider will use one hand to place the otoscope in the ear canal and the other hand to pull the outer ear up and back for a better view inside the ear.