Otoscopy

Health complaints and complications in sensitive sensory organs can be treated with special interventions that cause the least possible stress on the patient. The Otroscopy or Otoscopy is one of these so-called minimally invasive procedures.

What is an otoscope?

Otoscopy can be used to examine ear diseases (e.g. otitis externa), foreign bodies or parasites in the external auditory canal as well as eardrum complaints. It is usually carried out by the ENT doctor as the first examination in the event of hearing problems.

The Otoscopyhow the correct medical name for that Otroscopy makes it possible for the attending physician to look deep into the ear canal.

During an otoscope, the specialist (ENT doctor) can also examine the eardrum. Through the otoscope, which is not painful, a corresponding diagnosis of the hearing can be carried out with an aid, the otoscope.

With this device it is also possible to remove foreign bodies from the ear. The otoscopy continues to serve as a prerequisite for removing stubborn earwax.

Function, effect & goals

The Otroscopy is a practical approach that the ear, nose and throat specialist specializes in. The ear mirror is a conventional measure that has achieved a fixed status as a standard examination.

The unconventional shape of the otoscope with the narrowly designed funnel-shaped opening and integrated lighting ensures that abnormalities in the ear canal and on the eardrum can be easily identified. In addition, there is a built-in magnifying device in the otoscope, which additionally improves the display of the inside of the ear.

The use of an otoscope is of great importance in the diagnosis of diseases of the inner ear and the eardrum. With an otoscope, typical pathological changes in the eardrum can be perceived, which are considered to be clear indications of pathological processes. If there is a liquid behind the eardrum or if the eardrum shows a change in shape, there may be an inflammation of the middle ear or a tympanic effusion. Mechanical influences or pressure can damage the structure of the eardrum.

These are discovered during an otoscope. A perforation (tear) in the eardrum or a plug made of ear wax can severely impair hearing and are diagnosed by an otoscope. The otoscope is also a practical medical examination that is easy to perform and can also make tissue growth in the ear canal or scarred changes on the eardrum visible.

As a rule, an otoscope is not painful. If the ear has been impaired for a long time, manipulation of the outer ear by inserting the funnel can cause pain. The doctor gently pulls the auricle so that the ear canal is temporarily straightened. An otroscopy is advisable if symptoms such as decreased hearing, persistent noises in the ears, and ear pain occur. These can be triggered not only by an inflammation, but also by an abscess in the inner ear or on the eardrum.

Professional hearing aid acousticians who make highly sensitive hearing aids for the hearing impaired must also be able to use an otoscope in order to depict the condition of the outer ear through an otoscope. These anatomical shapes form the basis for the production of so-called otoplastics. These in turn serve as the basis for the hearing aids and can be given their particularly well-fitting properties through the otroscopy.

A further development of the otoscope otoscope is the use of an ear microscope. With this device, an otoscope can be carried out much more precisely and more meaningfully. Ear microscopes are characterized, for example, by a greater richness in contrast and by a much better sharpness, which makes even the smallest changes recognizable. In addition to ear microscopes, most medical professionals are currently using video-based otoscopes.

During the otroscopy, these record a representation of the external auditory canal and the eardrum directly on the monitor. With these imaging technologies, individually adjustable enlargements are also possible in order to see even the tiniest details.

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Risks & dangers

The Otroscopy is a method that does not involve any risks. Only children do not like it when the doctor puts an otoscope in the ear and wants to do an otoscope. As a precautionary measure, newborn babies are examined as part of an otoscope in order to diagnose pathological changes in good time. For this reason, the pediatricians also work with the procedure of the otoscope.