Otoscopes

All about otoscopes

Otoscopes are medical devices used to make observations of the ear canal. Do you want to know everything about this leading device used by ear, nose and throat (ENT ) specialists? Here is our guide.

What is an otoscope?

With a medical otoscope, also called an auriscope, a patient's ear canal and eardrum can be examined quickly and accurately. It is part of the basic equipment of an ENT specialist or a hearing aid acoustician, but is also present in general practitioners, pediatricians and clinics. An otoscope is easy to use for a health professional and allows him to make a visual diagnosis. The first model was created in 1834 by a Frenchman named Bonnafont.

How does an otoscope work?

This device is equipped with an artificial light to explore the ear canal up to the tympanic membrane. The power supply can be done with batteries depending on the model you choose. It also has a pivoting magnifying lens and various disposable ear specula to ensure the hygiene of the material and the safety of the patient.

In general, an otoscope has a handle that holds the battery or batteries. This handle is then connected to a head with the magnifying lens protected by the disposable speculum. The light source can be located directly in the head or in the handle of your otoscope. This speculum is the part that will be introduced directly into the patient's ear canal.

Why use an otoscope?

During a consultation with an ENT doctor or a general practitioner, the latter will perform anotoscopy. It is a quick and painless examination for the patient. It allows to observe the various parts of the ear and to conclude a diagnosis on the possible anomalies.

This device is widely used, because it is not cumbersome and provides today an excellent quality lighting. It is a routine examination which, although quite simple in appearance, is actually quite thorough. An ear is made up of reliefs and contours that sometimes make auscultation difficult. It is therefore essential to choose an otoscope adapted to one's needs so as to be able to grasp the complexity of the anatomical structure of the ear. In general, the examination takes place in several stages:

• The concha and the pavilion are examined with the naked eye thanks to a natural light. This examination will make it possible to choose the size of the speculum to be used.
• The external auditory canal is then observed.
• The eardrum comes last. The specialist will be interested in the position of its membrane, its color and its integrity. At this point, he will observe if any perforation has occurred.

What can an otoscope detect?

Various blows to the head, falls, injuries or even listening to loud music can cause serious injury to the ears and affect the patient's hearing. Hearing is essential in humans because it affects balance and if neglected, permanent and irreversible damage can occur. Only the examination of the tympanic membrane with an otoscope can account for various injuries.

An otoscopy examination is, for example, essential to determine the type of ear infection your patient has, to remove an earwax blockage, to administer treatment or to perform a paracentesis. In some cases of recurrent ear infections, it is necessary to intervene and make an incision in the tympanic membrane (after anesthesia) to rebalance the air pressure in the ear.

According to the experts, the tympanic membrane is the window of the middle ear and its clinical examination allows a precise diagnosis. Different aspects of the tympanic membrane must be observed in detail:

• The transparency in order to determine an effusion or the presence of air
• The color of the membrane
• The possible reliefs, only the relief of the handle of the hammer must be observed, any other observation concerns a pathology to be analyzed

The different types of otoscopes

A good otoscope is essential. In order for you to find the otoscope that meets your requirements, we will quickly detail the differences between otoscopes. This well-known diagnostic device comes in various versions:

• The traditional otoscope to which we refer most of the time
• The digital otoscope that can be connected to various electronic devices
• The digital otoscope, the most recent, which can connect to your smartphone and offers many recording capabilities

In addition to the choice of technology, there are many factors that go into the decision to purchase your otoscope. The main ones are listed below.

The lighting of your otoscope

We distinguish between the direct illumination otoscope and the fiber optic (F.O.) otoscope in the otoscope lighting. The bulb is used in most otoscopes and is the most common. It is mounted on the head and provides full illumination of the ear. It is a halogen or xenon light, conventional versions used, because they are cheaper than the new options on the market. This lamp position does not allow access to a large field of view for the practitioner.

If you choose an otoscope with fiber optic technology, you can illuminate the ear canal and the eardrum of your patients without shadows and enjoy a clear view. This is because you are not using a light bulb, but a bright bulb. Many manufacturers usually let you choose your type of lighting. Keep in mind that fiber optic otoscopes are equipped with a lighting system that can be based on LED, xenon or halogen lighting.

With the popular HEINE mini 3000 otoscope, for example, you can choose between direct and indirect (F.O.) illumination, as well as XHL xenon halogen and an energy-saving LED. This device offers a powerful, precise illumination with a color rendering that is almost unmatched on the market.

The Spengler otoscope is also a renowned instrument, equipped with an exceptional light thanks to the double LED and fiber optic technology. It allows you to examine your patient in the best possible conditions.

The intensity of the light will also vary depending on the type of bulb you choose. The latest versions are often equipped with LED light more powerful and excellent for this type of medical device. This type of light is also more energy efficient and offers a long autonomy for your device.

Handling your otoscope

You should also pay attention to the grip and longevity of otoscopes. The shape of the otoscope affects your daily life as a physician. It is a device that you will use every day and it is important that it meets your needs.

What do you need? Many of the models on the DocCheck store have proven themselves to be lightweight, pocket-sized, clip-on and ergonomically designed. This allows you to lighten your daily routine and make it easier to examine your patients. The HEINE mini 3000, for example, has an automatic shut-off function in the housing and a high-quality, chrome-plated, plastic-coated handle. This ensures that the otoscope has a long life expectancy, is non-slip, shock-resistant and robust. Other models such as the Spengler Smartled 5500 are also available if you want to go for a more practice-oriented otoscope with a possible multi-function base.

Other criteria

The choice of a magnifying lens as well as the type of power supply may also factor into the decision to purchase an otoscope. A battery powered otoscope is easier to use in home visits while a wall mounted otoscope is easier to use in the doctor's office. Some medical otoscopes have rechargeable batteries, so they can be used in both formats and are more easily adapted to different uses. Some otoscope handles are in fact compatible with various ophthalmoscope heads or tongue depressors. This multifunctional aspect can be a real asset for some doctors. You can also choose an otoscope for ENT examination that is compatible with reusable specula.

The various accessories

At DocCheck, we have all the medical equipment you need. This includes a wide range of accessories for ENT specialists, especially to accompany them during their routine examinations.

Order an otoscope online on the DocCheck store

Do you want to buy an otoscope for your medical practice or clinic? In the DocCheck Shop you will find a large selection of otoscopes from the following otoscope manufacturers: Spengler, HEINE, KaWE, Riester or DocCheck. These diagnostic instruments are the ideal compromise between high quality and low prices.

Since 1879, you can buy otoscopes at the DocCheck store. We are a renowned supplier of medical equipment for all medical disciplines. We ship your online orders as quickly as possible to your clinic, doctor's office, home or any other address of your choice. This allows you to get your new otoscope quickly.

There are many otoscopes from different manufacturers such as Spengler, HEINE, KaWE, Riester or LUXAMED. You can find all of these otoscopes and the products that go with them at an inexpensive price in the DocCheck store. When you are looking for an affordable otoscope, we recommend our DocCheck house brand otoscopes. DocCheck diagnostic instruments are in no way inferior to those of more established brand name manufacturers, but they are much less expensive. With the high-quality DocCheck otoscopes, you can perform a detailed and precise auscultation.

Are you a medical student? Visit our students-only section and benefit from attractive discounts when purchasing your otoscope.

Order your new otoscope directly from our online store. We offer quality products at good prices and a quality service that meets your requirements. Are you looking for an otoscope spare part or accessories? You will find it all in our online store. An overview of our otoscope related products can be found here on the otoscopy page.

Our promise at DocCheck

As soon as you decide on the otoscopes that best suit your needs, place your order online at the DocCheck store. We work to achieve the ideal compromise between high quality and an attractive price. Customer service is also our main concern. We ship your online order as quickly as possible to the address of your choice: to the clinic, the doctor's office or to your home.

Are you looking for an otoscope that allows you to perform an optimal examination of your patient? Then DocCheck is perfect for you. Among our wide range of products, we sell sophisticated otoscopes from internationally renowned manufacturers. In the DocCheck store, you will find numerous medical devices such as fiber-optic otoscopes with powerful LED illumination and excellent color rendering. This way you are optimally equipped for high-quality examinations.

Just place your order and we will take care of the rest. No matter whether you are a doctor's office or a hospital, you can be sure to find the right service on our website.