How does an otoscope work?

This seems like a very basic question, but in my experience, the otoscope (the doctor ear-looker thing) seems more complicated than just a flashlight with a cone attached. In my experience, the feeling of an otoscope in my ear is more than just a foreign object -- it almost feels like there's a slight vacuum applied. I've seen otoscopes with a pneumatic bulb attached, but I don't really understand how it works. For those who have used these scopes, what is the correct procedure? How do you ensure you don't actually damage the ear in the process? How does the air pressure work?

I noticed that some otoscopes come with that bulb attached. All it is designed to do is be able to apply a little gentle pressure on the ear drum. If the eardrum moves, the drainage is relatively normal behind it, but if the ear drum does not move a little bit can indicate drainage problems which may require ENT intervention of tubes in the ears to assist drainage.

Oh and if you have one of these, I would not use it except to simply look in the ear, not to squeeze the bulb as you are not a trained doctor and the last thing you want to do is blow out an ear drum due to the pressure applied.

Since I used an otoscope thousands of times at work I can with assurance say that it is just s flashlight with a lens to magnify. A speculum is attached which extends into the ear canal. The rubber bulb is just used to determine if the eardrum is moveable. Many pediatricians use a tube into which the gently blow. An immobile ear drum is highly suggestive of fluid behind it. To use it the pinna (the external ear) is pulled posteriorly and the speculum is introduced angling forward. Taking foreign bodies out of little kid ears is not my idea of a good time.

I would be RICH if I had a dollar for every time an otoscope was used on me! I used to get so many ear infections when I was a kid! My eardrums usually get comments from doctors because they are loaded with scar tissue. I had tubes in and out as a kid and I guess I have some nerve damage as well. I just know my ears are jacked up and I wear hearing aids in both ears. I have worn a hearing aid in my left ear since I was 4 or 5.

How does an otoscope work?

GOT GOOGLE?

Read this.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otoscope

It answers your question very well.

Haven't read Wikipedia on this but agree "liquidsky's" entry is accurate and pretty complete.