Introduction
The EarCheck Middle Ear Monitor™
is designed to accurately detect the presence of middle ear fluid (i.e.
otitis media with effusion) that may be associated with acute ear infections.
Otitis Media is a general term referring to the inflammation of the middle
ear space. The inflammation is often associated with fluid in the middle
ear. Fluid may arise with or without infection. In a healthy child, the
middle ear is filled with air. Sound waves enter the ear canal, causing
the eardrum to vibrate and allowing the child to hear. If the middle ear
is filled with fluid, the eardrum's vibrations are restricted. This can
result in temporary hearing loss (called "conductive" hearing
loss).
Product
Overview and Description
The EarCheck Monitor™ uses sound waves to detect middle ear fluid.
It sends pleasant chirping sounds into the ear canal. Some of the sound
bounces off the eardrum and travels back to the instruments built-in microphone.
The EarCheck Monitor™ then analyzes the reflected sound to determine
if the eardrum is working normally. If there is fluid in the ear, the eardrum's
vibrations may be restricted. The greater the fluid level, the greater the
reflected sound.
Product
Use and Procedures
Directions
for Use:
| 1. |
Stabilize the child
-Place the child in an upright position, sitting or standing. Do not
lay the child down as this might affect accuracy. |
| 2. |
Firmly Tug and
Hold Ear Back - To straighten the natural curve in the ear canal,
gently grasp the outer edge of the child's ear. Firmly pull the ear
up and back. (Hold ear tug through step 5). |
| 3. |
Carefully insert
EarCheck Tip - Carefully insert EarCheck tip into the child's outer
ear canal until the canal is covered. The EarCheck tip is designed
for safety, preventing it from being inserted too far into the ear
canal. |
| 4. |
Press and hold
the SCAN button - With EarCheck in place, continue to hold the ear
back. Press and hold the SCAN button for 5 seconds while slowly moving
the EarCheck tip in a small circular motion. Record the highest level
reading obtained. Release SCAN button before removing EarCheck tip
from the ear. |
| 5. |
Read Results - Remove
EarCheck tip from ear and read the results. Level will remain displayed
for about 10 seconds after release of the SCAN button. |
Helpful
Hints:
 |
Use EarCheck in
a quiet environment to ensure best results. If the child is crying
try to calm them down. |
|
EarCheck Monitor
will provide a reading if there is some wax in the ear canal. However,
if the ear canal is completely blocked with wax, consult the doctor.
|
|
Clean the instrument
with a soft dry cloth.
|
|
Replace batteries
when the "Low Battery" symbol appears.
|
|
Always store with
a clean disposable tip in order to protect the instrument. To order
additional tips contact School Health Corporation (800) 323-1305.
|
|
Store the unit at
room temperature. Do not expose it to extreme temperatures or humidity.
If the unit has not been stored at room temperature, keep it at room
temperature at least 60 minutes before using it.
|
|
For assistance in
the operation of your EarCheck Monitor™, or for troubleshooting
questions, contact MDI Instruments, 1-888-ear-chek. |
Reading your Results:
|
Level
|
Color
|
|
Probability
of Fluid
|
| Level
5 |
Red |
Consult
Doctor |
High |
| Level
4 |
Red |
Consult
Doctor |
Moderate
to High |
| Level
3 |
Red |
Consult
Doctor |
Moderate |
| Level
2 |
Yellow |
Monitor |
Low
to Moderate |
| Level
1 |
Green
|
Fluid
unlikely |
Low |
Features
and Benefits
Accurate - Objectively determines the
presence of middle ear effusion. The EarCheck Monitor™ using Acoustic
Reflectometry is clinically proven to be equivalent to tympanometry in detecting
middle ear effusion.
No
Patient Response - Minimal cooperation is required, making
it ideal with young children, special needs populations and/or whenever
there are language barriers. The EarCheck does not rely on a child's response.
Objective
- Otoscope relies on a subjective assessment, while the EarCheck
analyzes reflected sound to detect effusion.
Small,
Lightweight and Portable - No bulky wires; ergonomic design.
Comfortable
and Simple -
Can be used in seconds and requires no set-up, airtight seal, pressurization
of ear canal or even a direct line of sight to the eardrum.
Disposable
Probe tips for cleanliness
Easy
to read LCD with reference chart - Results displayed in seconds,
low incidence of error and uninterpretable readings.
Cost
effective - Uses readily available AA Alkaline Batteries, displays
low battery warning; requires no re-calibration.
Frequently
Asked Questions
| Q: |
What
are the differences between the EarCheck Pro™ and the EarCheck
Monitor™? |
| A: |
Both units use
Acoustic Reflectometry to screen for middle ear fluid. Click
here to view a comparison sheet between the two models.
|
| Q: |
I
can see what is going on in the ear with my otoscope. Why do I need
something to tell me what I can already see? |
| A: |
Fluid can be difficult
to detect and a red eardrum may not be indicative of middle ear effusion.
|
| Q: |
How
does the EarCheck Monitor™ technology compare to that of the
tympanometer? |
| A: |
The EarCheck Monitor™
analyzes reflected sound to detect effusion; tympanometry requires
a pressurized ear canal.
|
| Q: |
The
disposable ear tips seem too big. Can I use them on young children
with small ear canals? |
| A: |
The disposable
tip is 10mm in diameter. A tight seal is not required; it only needs
to fit over the opening of the ear canal.
|
| Q: |
Can
I hurt the child's eardrum if I insert the tip too far? |
| A: |
The EarCheck disposable
tip is designed to prevent it from being inserted too far into the
ear canal.
|
| Q: |
What
about earwax, will it interfere with the readings? |
| A: |
The EarCheck Monitor™
device will provide accurate readings in the presence of partial amounts
of wax"
|
| Q: |
Can
I use the EarCheck Monitor™ on a child lying on their napping
cot? |
| A: |
The EarCheck Monitor™
should only be used on a child that is sitting or standing in an upright
position.
|
| Q: |
If
I already own a tympanometer should I use the EarCheck? |
| A: |
A tympanometer is
difficult to use when a child is uncooperative or in pain. Tympanometry
is technique dependent, requiring an ear seal and a pressurized ear
canal. It is also very hard to perform on children under the age of
2 - the largest population with otitis media.
|
Articles
Click
here to Read the article "Accurate AOM Diagnosis is key to appropriate
antibiotic usage.
To review the differences
between the EarCheck Pro™ and EarCheck Monitor™, click
here.
Attached is a brochure
on the EarCheck Monitor™.
To review AAP guidelines
from June 2004, recommending Acoustic Reflectometry, click
here.
Click
here to read the article "Objective Diagnosis of Middle Ear Effusion
by Acoustic Reflectometry" from August 2004.
Click
here to read an article by Dr. Jerome Combs and Dr. Andrew Schuman
in Contemporary Pediatrics magazine. The article is titled Three Technologies
for Taming Otitis Media.
The prestigious Cleveland
Clinic just issued a supplement to its journal which focuses on the new
otitis media guidelines. Please click HERE
to read the favorable review of the EarCheck™ and Acoustic Reflectometry.
Product Ordering Information
| SH
Catalog # |
Product
Name |
| 53118 |
EarCheck
Monitor™ |
|
