Otoscope

History of otoscope:

The first descriptio of ear speculum can be traced back to the French surgeon Guy de Chauliac who described a vision for the device in 1363. The first prototypes were introduced by German surgeon Wilhelm Fabry and a Medical device sales man J.J. Perret in 1600. The earliest otoscopes were shaped like a pair of tongs, similar in many ways to the nasal speculum.

Modern otoscope design owes itself to the German otologist Wilhelm Kramer who developed a steel aural speculum with a distinct funnel shape that expanded when the two handles are separated. This was known as the Kramer's speculum.

A standard Welch Allyn otoscope in use today owes much of its shape and design to Hartmann.

Otoscopy tips:

•It is held in the hand at the same side of the ear that is being examined

•Two grips used – pencil & hammer grips

•Good ear is examined first to prevent infection from infected ear spreading to good ear

•Speculum chosen should fit snugly into the ear canal

The pencil grip allows the side of your hand to rest on the patient's temple, reducing the risk of trauma if the patient suddenly moves his or her head (this is common when examining young children or patients with tender canals).

Examine the good ear first. This has several advantages: it prevents the spread of infection into an unaffected ear, it usually allows you to see some normal anatomy with which to compare the other side, and also helps stop you relaxing once you have identified one abnormality, failing to see less obvious but often more important findings - a common problem of students. With the light source turned up full, use the otoscope as a torch to examine the pinna briefly for meatal abnormalities and previous surgical wounds.