For medical doctors whose specialty is on the ears, the otoscope is among the important medical instruments they need. Also called as auriscope, this device allows hearing care providers to visually examine the eardrum as well as the passage of the outer ear. With the illuminated magnification of ear canal and tymphanic membrane revealed on the screen, ear specialists are able to check for the presence or discharge of too much ear wax, the displacement in internal region, the discoloration of any part of the auditory organs, and other abnormal structures or pain experienced by the patient.

Similar to other medical instruments that health experts use, the otoscope also has gone through series of modifications. Changes of its structural design were made to bring out the most practical weapon that ear specialists could use on a routine basis. So to give you an idea of how the design of otoscope transforms, here are the different types of auriscope ranging from the first invented ear instrument to the most modern one.

As early as 1363, Guy de Chauliac of France illustrated the very first design of otoscope which comes in a tong shape specula and has the capacity to examine the aural and nasal passages. Ancient ear specialists make use of this medical instrument for almost half a century. In 1838, Ignaz Gruber of Italy tried to redesign the said device to a funnel shape specula but unfortunately, his invention remains unpublished. Then in 1864, E.Siegel from Germany introduced a new model of medical instrument for ear check up called pneumatic otoscope.

Probably, you will wonder what the significant improvements of pneumatic otoscopes are. Well, first and foremost, it is better engineered than early designs of auriscope making it more convenience to use for hearing care specialists during ear examinations.  The otoscope head is designed with a speculum that is enough to enter an ear canal. This speculum also comes with a light bulb so that specialists can clearly see what is inside the ear via a magnifying lens. Additionally, the handle comes with power storage in order for the device to be functional.

For many decades, the pneumatic otoscope is among the popular medical instruments being used for diagnosing problems inside the ear. In this type of check up device, the doctor will make use of air pressure to measure the eardrum as response to pressure change. But along with continuous innovation in technology, tympanometry were invented. This instrument makes use of sound in testing the condition of eardrum instead of air pressure. Because of a much accurate result that tympanometry provides, most ear specialists nowadays would prefer using this device over the former style of otoscope.

Wanda believes that the need for a regular consultation with ear specialists is the least thing a person can do to maintain good aural health. These hearing care experts are equipped with medical instruments that are essential for examination and one of them is otoscope.

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