A Hartmann aural speculum, also called a Hartmann ear speculum, is a small metal funnel placed gently in the outer ear canal. It straightens and opens the view so a doctor can see the ear canal and eardrum, and pass fine instruments into the ear.
Design
- Conical funnel: Wide at the outer end, narrow at the tip
- Round tip: The Hartmann pattern has a round opening (other patterns are oval, see article 89)
- Smooth, rounded edge: So it does not scratch the delicate skin of the ear canal
- Short body: Easy to hold between finger and thumb
- Sizes: Usually sold in sets of three or four tip diameters (see Hartmann ear speculum sizes: how to choose the right one)
Materials
- Stainless steel: Durable, autoclavable and easy to clean
- Chrome or nickel-plated brass: Lighter and cheaper, but the plating can wear over time
What it is used for
- Examining the ear canal and eardrum with a head mirror, headlight or microscope
- Removing ear wax and foreign bodies
- Cleaning the ear and applying medicine
- Minor ear procedures in ENT clinics
Who uses it
- ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialists
- General practitioners and family doctors
- Paediatricians
- Audiologists and hearing clinics
- Veterinarians (see Ear specula in veterinary practice)
Why a metal speculum still matters
Many clinics use otoscopes with disposable tips for quick checks. But for procedures, especially under a microscope or with a headlight, ENT doctors prefer metal specula like the Hartmann. They give a wider, steadier view and leave both hands free to work.
Hartmann ear specula from Tata Surgical
We make Hartmann aural specula in single sizes and sets, in stainless steel. Request a quote.
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