What’s that thing you’re sticking in my ear?

Sometimes when you go to the doctor for a checkup, he or she sticks a pointy flashlight-looking instrument in your ear. Pretty much every time you see an audiologist, you get the same experience. Ever wondered exactly what it is the doc is sticking in your ear, and what it does?

It’s called an otoscope, and it’s used to evaluate for illness and investigate ear-related symptoms. The otoscope contains a small light and a magnifying lens that increases visibility for the doctor using the scope. Before your exam, the doctor or audiologist will attach a disposable tip to the instrument that is called an ear specula. By positioning the ear speculum of the otoscope just inside the ear, the audiologist is able to examine the ear canal.

The otoscope is a useful tool used during the ear exam that helps identify problems with hearing and ear health such as illness, earwax buildup or lodgement of a foreign object.

© 2024 Audiology Professionals, Inc.. All right reserved. | Privacy Policy

The purpose of this hearing assessment and/or demonstration is for hearing wellness and to determine if the consumer may benefit from using hearing aids, which may include selling and fitting hearing aids. Products demonstrated may differ from products sold. Assessment conclusion is not a medical diagnosis and further testing may be required to diagnose hearing loss. The use of any hearing aid may not fully restore normal hearing and does not prevent future hearing loss. Hearing instruments may not meet the needs of all hearing-impaired individuals.