Do you have an otoscope for home use? Just wondering how practical these are and if they can be properly used to prevent unneeded trips to the doctor for suspected ear infections. Not sure if it's advisable to use these at home or not, I'm thinking our pediatrician would advise against them but I think I'll ask next time just to see what she thinks.
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Thread: Do you own an otoscope?
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07-24-2011 #1
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Do you own an otoscope?
DD Spring 2010
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07-24-2011 #2
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Yes, and there are really good ones out there (in Walmart of all place, I think) for home-use. Dx'ing ear infections is an art, but this plus some experience will help you.
-Ivy
Parenting two active, wonderful boys
This is your world. Shape it or someone else will. -Gary Lew
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07-24-2011 #3
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Yes, that Dr. Mom one from Walmart is great. I'm an audiologist and had a professional travel one and I can see better with the Dr. Mom than it. I use it a ton for my older two. Using it on the baby is nearly impossible though.
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07-25-2011 #4
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I do and it's saved me a ton of trips plus convinced me to take the kids when I'd otherwise wait it out. I take it on vacation too- the last place I want to be unecessairly on vacation is urgent care! I do not prescribe for my own kids. I also do not do peds or even internal med so never use an otoscope in my daily practice so I dint really have much professional practice with ears. My older daughter was tough but my younger one loves having me check her ears. My husband actually did a better job with ears than me and I'd hold our older DDs head while he looked. We have had a plastic kind designed for families and a professional pocket scope and they both were fine.
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07-25-2011 #5
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Yes, but I don't know where I put mine! It belonged to my grandfather who was an ENT.
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07-25-2011 #6
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I don't have one that I own, however, I have access to one whenever I need it, from work, that I can bring home. Usually I just drag DD into my office, and when a prescriber sees her there, they offer up a script if we need one.
--Mimi
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07-25-2011 #7
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Originally Posted by mnosky1
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09-02-2011 #8
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I have one that I use all the time. I got it at a medical supplies store online. It was very affordable and has saved me lots of trips to urgent care with the kids!
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09-02-2011 #9
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We do but we don't use it often. Thankfully DD1 doesn't get EIs very often and DD2 won't sit still long enough for us to use it on her. She's great for the ped but not for us.
Mom to two amazing DDs ('07 & '09) and a fur baby.
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09-02-2011 #10
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I don't, but my father owns one (and my parents live around the corner).
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