Digital ear thermometers are portable devices that measure body temperature using a probe inserted into the ear canal. They are less invasive and faster than other thermometers, but can be prone to false readings and are not safe for children. They are also more expensive than digital oral thermometers.
A digital ear thermometer is a portable device that measures an individual’s body temperature using a short probe that is inserted into the ear canal. Proponents of the digital ear thermometer argue that the device is non-invasive, works quickly, is hygienic, and is safer to use than mercury thermometers. Many health experts question the digital ear thermometer’s value, however, arguing that it’s difficult to place correctly and therefore prone to false readings, and that it’s not safe for use in children. Also, digital ear thermometers tend to be more expensive than the more accurate digital oral thermometers.
Usually, a digital ear thermometer consists of a tube-shaped plastic body that is held in the fist and a short probe that protrudes from the upper body. Once this probe is inserted into the ear, a “trigger” is pressed on the body of the thermometer. After a few seconds to a minute, depending on the thermometer model, a digital screen on the body displays a temperature reading.
Proponents of the digital ear thermometer argue that the device has several advantages. First of all, it is less invasive than rectal and oral thermometers, potentially making a child more likely to cooperate when their temperature needs to be taken. Secondly, the faster models can provide a temperature reading in seconds. Additionally, many models can be fitted with disposable plastic probe covers, adding a hygienic element to these devices. Additionally, digital ear thermometers lack the safety risks of glass thermometers, which, if broken, can leak mercury.
However, many health experts question the value of the digital ear thermometer. First of all, these experts argue, it can be difficult to place an ear thermometer correctly inside the ear canal. Improper placement and excessive wax in the ear can cause an ear thermometer to give an incorrect reading, which in turn can lead a caregiver to underestimate or overestimate the severity of an individual’s fever. Additionally, the size of most digital ear thermometer probes has the potential to cause injury to children’s ears.
Additionally, most digital ear thermometer models tend to be slightly or even significantly more expensive than digital oral thermometers. While this cost difference may lead some consumers to assume that digital ear thermometers are superior to digital oral thermometers, many health experts advise that oral thermometers are actually more accurate. Additionally, a large percentage of health experts argue that rectal temperature measurement gives the truest reading, especially in children.
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