The pneumatic
otoscope
An otoscope or auriscope is a medical device which is used to look into the ears. Health care providers use otoscopes to screen for illness during regular check-ups and also to investigate ear symptoms. An otoscope potentially gives a view of ...
is the standard tool used in diagnosing
otitis media
Otitis media is a group of inflammatory diseases of the middle ear. One of the two main types is acute otitis media (AOM), an infection of rapid onset that usually presents with ear pain. In young children this may result in pulling at the ear, ...
. In addition to the pneumatic (diagnostic) head, a surgical head also is useful. The pneumatic head contains a lens, an enclosed light source, and a nipple for attachment of a rubber bulb and tubing. The head is designed so that when a
speculum is attached and fitted snugly into the patient’s external auditory canal, an air-tight chamber is produced. In some cases, the addition of a small sleeve of rubber tubing at the end of the plastic speculum or use of a rubber-tipped speculum helps to avoid trauma and improve the air-tight seal. Gently squeezing and releasing the rubber bulb in rapid succession permits observation of the degree of eardrum mobility in response to both positive and negative pressure.
References
A View Through-Distinguishing Acute Otitis Media From Otitis Media With Effusion THE OTOSCOPE
{{Outer and middle ear disease
Ear procedures
Medical equipment