CLINICAL CASES
CLINICAL CASES
Using the Wispr Digital Otoscope
Healthy 30-year-old
A healthy 30-year-old stopped by the WiscMed booth at the 2026 Pediatric Academic Society (PAS) conference in Boston. The following image of her ear was obtained with the Wispr digital otoscope.
What is the next step in management?
A. Initiation of antibiotics for acute otitis media (AOM)
B. Initiation of antibiotics for otitis externa.
C. Obtain a better view of the tympanic membrane (TM)
D. Otolaryngology (ENT) consult for wax removal
Answer: C. Obtain a better view of the tympanic membrane (TM)
The image shows cerumen (earwax). With this image, it is not possible to make a diagnosis since the tympanic membrane is not visible.
Proper diagnosis requires a full examination of the tympanic membrane. This is where the Wispr digital otoscope excels – obtaining a full view of the TM even with moderate cerumen burdens. Using the Wispr digital otoscope, it is easy to navigate the distal camera through the “window” in the cerumen to obtain a full view of the TM. The result is this image, which clearly shows a healthy TM.
There is no acute otitis media (AOM) or otitis externa. There is no indication to send this patient to ENT as earwax is normal and does not require removal unless it affects hearing.
Here is the complete video exam, which demonstrates the Wispr digital otoscope navigating past the cerumen to obtain the full TM view.
