ear thermometry

ear thermometry

Determination of the temperature of the tympanic membrane by use of a device for rapidly sensing infrared radiation from the membrane. Commercially available devices do this in 3 sec. The convenience of assessing body temperature using this method is obvious, but if the probe is left in the ear canal for more than a few seconds, the reading may be abnormally low. In general, the accuracy and reproducibility of ear thermometry is poor. See: temperature