This idea that normal temperature is 37 C or 98.6 F goes back to studies conducted in the 1860's (not a typographical error) This work being published in either BMJ (British Medical Journal) or The Lancet. I wonder if there has been attempts at large scale studies which account for racial, social, sexual differences. It simply amazes me how tightly the hypothalamus holds the temperature.DrLaennec Physical Examiner
Ear thermometers have lost their glory in the medical community for the main reason is that they produce sometimes great result and at other time terrible results. For the most part, the ear thermometer is replaced with a probe electronic thermometer. However, even electronic probe thermometers slowly lose their calibration over time long after the warranty runs out. On the long run, there is no better thermometer that gives reliable and consistent results than a mercury-fill or a Gallistan-fill glass thermometer. Another trade-off consideration is it can take a few minutes to receive an accurate reading from either of these two types of glass thermometers and the fragile nature of a glass thermometer in connection to taking an oral temperature with either of a glass oral thermometer which can be of concern when taking the temperature of a less functional person.
I've had ear thermometers used on me, though in more recent years it has usually been oral (Ivac or similar electronic probe) or the forehead scan variety. It also seems like temperature taking is not always done these days.
Like some of the other posters, I haven't seen ear thermometers since the 90's. The last glass thermometer that I saw was in the late 90's, at a doctor's office, so apparently that technology is vintage. Each time that I go to the dr.'s office, or the hospital, the medical assistant uses an oral probe to get my vitals. The only probes that I've seen are blue, and are used orally. The older models came with one for rectal, the other oral. The new units work accurately and quickly. Even if you were to bite down on the probe, it's flexible and durable. No need to embarrass the patient. Many younger patients have never experienced a rectal temp., and would probably freak out. To be honest, I wouldn't want to receive a rectal temp., unless it was done at home, in private, by a woman of my choosing.
The doctors office takes my temperature by mouth. They use to use ear thermometers but I am assuming those aren’t that accurate. So usually it’s by mouth or sometimes forehead. I’m not sure how it’s done in the schools now.