Parents often have to cope with ear infections with their children. A new smartphone accessory can help eliminate trips to the doctor’s office.
Ear infections are a familiar occurrence for many families. These typically lead to phone calls to the doctor’s office, which often end with “You better bring the child in just to be sure.” The makers of Children’s Tylenol have come up with a smartphone accessory that can help eliminate unnecessary trips for an ear exam. The device fits on certain Apple iPhone models, and a companion app can record video clips and still images of the inside of a child’s ear. No skill or training is required; the app steps you through the sequence and makes sure that you’re getting a good image. You can then share the video and stills with your healthcare professional, who can then make better judgments on what treatment is required. This remote home ear exam could save a lot of time for everyone involved.