Learn about otoscope uses, how to use an otoscope, and more!

One of the best reasons to perform an at-home ear examination or ear cleaning is because of a substance called cerumen, commonly called earwax. It’s normal for your body to produce it, and it actually helps protect and lubricate your ears.

If you didn’t have earwax, your ears would probably be itchy and dry. Earwax even has antibacterial properties, which means your ears are self-cleaning. Earwax is like a filter for your ears, keeping out harmful things like dirt and dust, and trapping them so they don’t go deep inside.

Otoscope cameras are the perfect tool to perform at-home ear examinations and ear cleaning. Sometimes earwax builds up inside your ear canal, especially when it clogs the canal, then you should remove the wax to prevent your hearing from being impaired.

Use of otoscope

A modern approach to ear examination and cleaning is to use a digital otoscope. ScopeAround makes a number of devices that are safe to use because you can see inside your ear the entire time you are using the device.

You can’t see what you are doing if you poke your ear with a cotton swab. Digital otoscopes have integrated LED lights to illuminate the ear canal and perform a thorough examination - recording photos or video as you go.

Ear wax removal is easy to do with a soft silicone-tipped spoon that attaches to the end of the otoscope and that combined with the camera gives you the perfect tool to scrape out pieces of earwax or other debris. 

How to turn on otoscope

How to turn on an otoscope depends on the type of digital otoscope you have. Otoscope cameras are available as stand-alone models, USB models, and WiFI models.

Stand alone models have a power button that you need to press, after that they should be ready to use.

USB otoscopes don’t have their own power so you have to plug them into a mobile device with USB like an Android phone or Chromebook. Once you plug a USB otoscope into a device you need to open up the appropriate App for that device and you should see a live camera feed in the App window, when you have the live view you are ready to use the device.

WiFi digital otoscopes have their own power, so they need to be turned on, and they also need to be connected to a mobile device with WiFI, like an iPhone or Android mobile device. Once you select the WiFi signal from the otoscope in the device’s preferences then you open the correct App and you should see the live feed from the otoscope camera.

How to use otoscope

Learning how to use an otoscope is fairly simple, but there are a couple key steps to ensure safe operation. When you are performing an examination you start by installing a specula, or plastic flange, around the otoscope camera. The specula should be cleaned with an alcohol wipe before use. Next make sure the light on the otoscope is functioning. Finally, insert the otoscope into the ear canal paying close attention to positioning it such that you can see the eardrum, but not contact the eardrum. If you need to clean the ear canal, replace the specula with a sterilized ear spoon and insert that into the canal, also paying close attention to not have any contact between the spoon and the eardrum. Use the ear spoon to gently scrape out any wax or dirt that may have accumulated along the walls of the ear canal.

Shop ScopeAround Digital Otoscopes!

ScopeAround brought the first digital otoscope with camera for consumers to the market over five years ago so we have more experience and customer feedback to make the best digital otoscopes available. We make a complete range of digital otoscope products including free-standing models to USB-connected, Lightning cable-connected, and WiFi-connected devices with an otoscope camera app for your mobile device. Shop now!

 

Explore ScopeAround Products:

Explore ScopeAround Collections: