Choosing a good otoscope is important. You should look for an otoscope that is tough, reliable, preferably lightweight, and with various tip sizes. You need three tip sizes (child, youth, adult) to be able to see in all ears with the maximum amount of light, and with lengths that are neither too long (dangerous), or too short (you won't be able to see the drum well). You need to see the ear canal and drum illuminated by a strong beam of light. The image must be magnified so that you can clearly see the ear drum landmarks. The instrument should use standard replaceable batteries and bulb. It should come with good information about how to use it and what to look for. Our Earscopes do all of these things.

A number of other companies have tried to copy our home use Earscope idea and now offer competing models. But be careful! Poorly made models often don't illuminate well, have only one or two tip sizes, have poor quality lenses or do not supply the information you need to give good home ear inspections. Such "drug-store cheap" otoscopes are often mass-produced offshore and claim to be "doctor designed" or "doctor endorsed".

We are a family-run small company, manufacturing in the US only, and don't pay for doctor endorsement. Yet for the past 25 years we have worked closely with many doctors and nurses, and much of our referral business has always been from medical providers. Additionally, we have supported medical research on home otoscope use.

Compared with "Professional" Models

Professional otoscopes used in clinics are excellent, but are expensive to manufacture, buy and operate. They are also heavy and cumbersome because the halogen lamps used are power hungry. We designed our Earscope with the home user in mind, making it simple, light weight (2-1/2 oz.), easy to use, safe, and inexpensive. We use a double light focusing system: a lens-end bulb combined with a condensing mirror, to give a very bright light using inexpensive replaceable parts, yet the cost of everything is less than one visit to the doctor's office.

About half of the otoscopes we make we sell to medical professionals who use otoscopes all the time, so we know they work well. Our "professional" model (No. 1205) is the same as our home model, with some extra attachments for clinical use.

How to Use a Home Otoscope or Earscope

Each Earscope comes with an instruction handbook that gives you basic exam information and earscope care. For the most complete information, however, we recommend a copy of the book Ears, An Owner's Manual. This book has step-by-step instructions on how to proceed with an ear exam. It includes full-color photographs that compare views of healthy and problem eardrums, how to decide when you need medical help, how to avoid the Emergency Room, and what you can do at home to prevent and manage common ear problems. Our specially priced package includes both the Earscope and the detailed companion book.

We also recommend that you ask your health practitioner to show you how to use your Earscope. Take it with you on your next visit.

The Pneumatic Otoscopic Exam

Your doctor sometimes uses a pneumatic otoscope with a squeeze bulb that blows air into the ear canal to check for eardrum movement. However, it is possible for you to check eardrum movement in older children or adults with a regular Earscope at home. Simply ask your "patient" to swallow or pinch his or her nose and gently blow - stop - and blow again. Air will travel through an open Eustachian tube and make the eardrum move; changing the way the ear drum looks.

If the Eustachian tube is closed, or if there is a pressure problem in the middle ear space, the eardrum will not change. However, this procedure is difficult and requires much practice both for the home otoscope user and the medical provider.