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

• 来源期刊: 中华耳科学杂志（英文版）
• 年，卷（期）: 2021,（2）
• 所属期刊栏目: Short Communication
• 页码范围: 120-122
• 页数: 3页
• 语种: 英文

摘要

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.