Speculum, ear

Speculum, ear: An instrument inserted into the auditory canal of the ear to increase the circumference of the tunnel-shaped canal walls. (The auditory canal begins at the circular opening of the ear and continues a distance of about one inch [about 2 1/2 cm] to the eardrum, or tympanic membrane.) Using this viewing instrument, a clinician can see through the shaft running through the speculum to check for evidence of disease, wax buildup, eardrum perforation, foreign objects, and other problems.