Self-monitoring of the tympanic membrane: An opportunity for telemedicine during times of COVID-19 and beyond

• Main Authors: A.B. Bayoumy, C.C.A.F.M. Veugen, L.B. van Rijssen, J.W.M. Bok, J. Borgstein
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2021-04-01
• Series: Journal of Otology
• Subjects: Telemedicine; Tympanic membrane; Tympanic membrane retractions; Digital otoscopes
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1672293020301173
• ISSN: 1672-2930

The interest for telemedicine has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic because of the risk of infection. Recently, commercial companies started selling digital USB-otoscopes (DUO) that can be connected to a mobile phone. These DUOs are inexpensive (costing approximately $6–35 each) and make it possible to visualize the whole tympanic membrane. Here, we illustrate the case of a patient who had operative correction of a tympanic membrane retraction, and who self-monitored the tympanic membrane in the course of time. Additionally, we discuss the use of DUOs in otolaryngology telemedicine practice. The use of simple digital USB otoscopes provides a promising method to assess and monitor the tympanic membrane remotely. However, more research is needed to establish the role of DUOs in telemedicine.