Louise Fincher, EdD, ATC, LAT Associate Professor/Program Director The University of Texas at Arlington Use of the Otoscope in Athletic Training

Objectives  Briefly discuss the types and features of the otoscope  Provide an overview of otoscopic assessment procedures  Briefly discuss the types and features of the otoscope  Provide an overview of otoscopic assessment procedures

Types & Features of the Otoscope

Types of Otoscopes  Pocket style < $50 < $50  Pocket style < $50 < $50 Pocket style Clinical model  Clinical model $200 - $400+ $200 - $400+  Clinical model $200 - $400+ $200 - $400+

Features of the Otoscope  Power source Battery (most common in athletic training clinical setting) Battery (most common in athletic training clinical setting) Electric Electric  Power source Battery (most common in athletic training clinical setting) Battery (most common in athletic training clinical setting) Electric Electric  Light source Incandescent bulb (produces a yellow light) Incandescent bulb (produces a yellow light) Hallogen bulb (best – produces a white light) Hallogen bulb (best – produces a white light)  Light source Incandescent bulb (produces a yellow light) Incandescent bulb (produces a yellow light) Hallogen bulb (best – produces a white light) Hallogen bulb (best – produces a white light)

Features of the Otoscope  Magnifier Not available on all models Not available on all models Provides better view of tympanic membrane, particularly for beginners Provides better view of tympanic membrane, particularly for beginners  Magnifier Not available on all models Not available on all models Provides better view of tympanic membrane, particularly for beginners Provides better view of tympanic membrane, particularly for beginners

Features of the Otoscope  Speculum Variety of sizes Variety of sizes Reusable or disposable Reusable or disposable  Speculum Variety of sizes Variety of sizes Reusable or disposable Reusable or disposable

Overview of Otoscopic Assessment

Examination of the Ear  History  Observation  Palpation  History  Observation  Palpation  Special tests Otoscopic assessment Otoscopic assessment  Special tests Otoscopic assessment Otoscopic assessment

Examination of the Ear  History Trauma Trauma Allergies, colds, sinus drainage Allergies, colds, sinus drainage Changes in pressure (flying, diving) Changes in pressure (flying, diving) Dizziness Dizziness Changes in hearing Changes in hearing Duration of symptoms Duration of symptoms Trauma Trauma Allergies, colds, sinus drainage Allergies, colds, sinus drainage Changes in pressure (flying, diving) Changes in pressure (flying, diving) Dizziness Dizziness Changes in hearing Changes in hearing Duration of symptoms Duration of symptoms

Examination of the Ear  Observation Redness Redness Swelling Swelling Drainage Drainage Foreign object Foreign object Cuts, scrapes, bruises Cuts, scrapes, bruises Redness Redness Swelling Swelling Drainage Drainage Foreign object Foreign object Cuts, scrapes, bruises Cuts, scrapes, bruises

Examination of the Ear  Palpation Gentle pressure on tragus Gentle pressure on tragus

Examination of the Ear  Palpation Traction on ear lobe & pinna Traction on ear lobe & pinna

Otoscopic Assessment  Evaluate the noninvolved ear first  This practice provides a basis for comparison AND prevents cross- contamination

Otoscopic Assessment  Step 1: Place your patient in a seated position with his/her head turned slightly downward and away from the ear to be examined Place your patient in a seated position with his/her head turned slightly downward and away from the ear to be examined

Otoscopic Assessment  Step 1 (cont.): Think of this as the “puppy position” (puppies always cock their heads to the side when you talk to them) Think of this as the “puppy position” (puppies always cock their heads to the side when you talk to them)

Otoscopic Assessment  Step 2: Select the largest possible speculum that can be comfortably inserted into the ear Select the largest possible speculum that can be comfortably inserted into the ear

Otoscopic Assessment  Step 2 (cont.): When inserted, the speculum should fit snugly in the outer third of the canal and rest against the tragus and anterior wall of the canal When inserted, the speculum should fit snugly in the outer third of the canal and rest against the tragus and anterior wall of the canal Modified from Middle Ear Conditions. Anatomical Chart Co. Skokie, IL, 1999.

Otoscopic Assessment  Step 2 (cont.): Choosing a speculum that is too small will cause movement within the canal Choosing a speculum that is too small will cause movement within the canal Excessive movement can cause discomfort for your patient Excessive movement can cause discomfort for your patient Choosing a speculum that is too small will cause movement within the canal Choosing a speculum that is too small will cause movement within the canal Excessive movement can cause discomfort for your patient Excessive movement can cause discomfort for your patient Modified from Middle Ear Conditions. Anatomical Chart Co. Skokie, IL, 1999.

Otoscopic Assessment  Step 3: Hold the otoscope with the same hand as the ear you are examining Hold the otoscope with the same hand as the ear you are examining  right ear, right hand  left ear, left hand Hold the otoscope with the same hand as the ear you are examining Hold the otoscope with the same hand as the ear you are examining  right ear, right hand  left ear, left hand

Otoscopic Assessment  Step 3 (cont.): The otoscope should be stabilized by placing the ring and little finger resting on the patient’s cheek or temple The otoscope should be stabilized by placing the ring and little finger resting on the patient’s cheek or temple

Otoscopic Assessment Pencil Grip Hammer Grip

Otoscopic Assessment  Step 4: Pull the pinna upward and backward to straighten the canal Pull the pinna upward and backward to straighten the canal Modified from Middle Ear Conditions. Anatomical Chart Co. Skokie, IL, 1999.

Otoscopic Assessment  Step 5: While maintaining traction on the pinna, place the speculum of the otoscope at, but not in the ear canal While maintaining traction on the pinna, place the speculum of the otoscope at, but not in the ear canal

Otoscopic Assessment  Caution: Never insert the otoscope blindly Never insert the otoscope blindly Always “Watch your way in” Always “Watch your way in” Never insert the otoscope blindly Never insert the otoscope blindly Always “Watch your way in” Always “Watch your way in”

Otoscopic Assessment  Tip: If the patient experiences pain, reposition the canal by adjusting the angle and degree of traction on the pinna If the patient experiences pain, reposition the canal by adjusting the angle and degree of traction on the pinna

Otoscopic Assessment  Caution: If the patient’s discomfort persists even after readjustment of the canal, halt the examination and refer the patient to a physician. If the patient’s discomfort persists even after readjustment of the canal, halt the examination and refer the patient to a physician.

Otoscopic Assessment  Step 6: Once the tympanic membrane comes into view, rotate the speculum to view as much of the membrane as possible Once the tympanic membrane comes into view, rotate the speculum to view as much of the membrane as possible  Posterior superior  Anterior superior  Anterior inferior  Posterior inferior  Posterior superior  Anterior superior  Anterior inferior  Posterior inferior Marty DR. The Ear Book. Jefferson City, MO: Lang ENT Publishing. 1987;Color plate 1.

Otoscopic Assessment Like trying to view the corners of a room through a key hole Like trying to view the corners of a room through a key hole  Tip Marty DR. The Ear Book. Jefferson City, MO: Lang ENT Publishing. 1987;Color plate 1. Modified from Middle Ear Conditions. Anatomical Chart Co. Skokie, IL, 1999.

This is due to the angle of the membrane within the canal Otoscopic Assessment  Tip The posterior inferior portion of the membrane is often difficult to see The posterior inferior portion of the membrane is often difficult to see Fincher AL. Use of the otoscope in the evaluation of common injuries and illnesses of the ear. J Athl Train. 1994;29:53,54. Modified from Middle Ear Conditions. Anatomical Chart Co. Skokie, IL, 1999.

Otoscopic Assessment  Step 7: L R Inspect the membrane for color, clarity, & position Inspect the membrane for color, clarity, & position  Pearly gray  Semitransparent  Not bulging or retracted Inspect the membrane for color, clarity, & position Inspect the membrane for color, clarity, & position  Pearly gray  Semitransparent  Not bulging or retracted Fincher AL. Use of the otoscope in the evaluation of common injuries and illnesses of the ear. J Athl Train. 1994;29:53,54.

Otoscopic Assessment  Step 8: Identify key landmarks Identify key landmarks  Step 8: Identify key landmarks Identify key landmarks L R Umbo Short process  Malleus ManubriumManubrium Short processShort process UmboUmbo ManubriumManubrium Short processShort process UmboUmbo  Light reflex Fincher AL. Use of the otoscope in the evaluation of common injuries and illnesses of the ear. J Athl Train. 1994;29:53,54.

Otoscopic Assessment  Step 8 (cont.): Identify key landmarks Identify key landmarks  Step 8 (cont.): Identify key landmarks Identify key landmarks L R  Note that manubrium angles toward the 10:00 position in the left ear and the 2:00 position in the right ear Fincher AL. Use of the otoscope in the evaluation of common injuries and illnesses of the ear. J Athl Train. 1994;29:53,54.

Otoscopic Assessment  Step 8 (cont.): Identify key landmarks Identify key landmarks  Step 8 (cont.): Identify key landmarks Identify key landmarks L R Pars tensa  Pars flaccida  Pars tensa  Annulus Pars flaccida Fincher AL. Use of the otoscope in the evaluation of common injuries and illnesses of the ear. J Athl Train. 1994;29:53,54.

Otoscopic Assessment  Step 8 (cont.): Identify key landmarks Identify key landmarks  Look beyond the membrane StapesStapes IncusIncus Identify key landmarks Identify key landmarks  Look beyond the membrane StapesStapes IncusIncus Fincher AL. Use of the otoscope in the evaluation of common injuries and illnesses of the ear. J Athl Train. 1994;29:53.

Otoscopic Assessment  Step 9: Look for abnormalities Look for abnormalities  Fluid  Perforations  Step 9: Look for abnormalities Look for abnormalities  Fluid  Perforations Perforation Marty DR. The Ear Book. Jefferson City, MO: Lang ENT Publishing. 1987;Color plate 8. Fluid & Air Bubbles Fincher AL. Use of the otoscope in the evaluation of common injuries and illnesses of the ear. J Athl Train. 1994; 29:54.

Otoscopic Assessment  Step 10 Work with your ACI to develop your confidence and skill Work with your ACI to develop your confidence and skill PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE !!! PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE !!! You must look at many ears to develop to become comfortable with “normal” You must look at many ears to develop to become comfortable with “normal” PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE !!! PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE !!! You must look at many ears to develop to become comfortable with “normal” You must look at many ears to develop to become comfortable with “normal”

Summary  The 10 step process for otoscopy outlined in this presentation is intended to serve as foundation for learning and becoming comfortable with using the otoscope for ear evaluation.

Summary  Proficiency requires PRACTICE, PRACTICE, & more PRACTICE!

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