About ear thermometers

The tympanic thermometer, or simply, the ear thermometer, measures a persons temperature by infrared light. One only has to put it in the ear and press a button to see the temperature on the display. The measurements are very exact, however not as exact as with a rectal thermometer. Up to half a degree Fahrenheit is how much a measurement can differ between the two. This is why it is not recommended to use an ear thermometer on an infant just a couple of months old, cause half a degree in this case is a lot. However, for everyone that is not an infant, the ear thermometer is a brilliant invention that makes very accurate readings of a persons temperature, instantly and without fuss. They may be used on adults and children and even toddlers, but again, avoid using them on an infant that's only a few months old.
Another big advantage is that germs are not as easily transmitted as with other thermometers.

More on ear thermometers

If you are kid or young teen there is also another big disadvantage: since the reading is instantenous, you will not be able to hold the thermometer up to a light bulb trying to increase the reading on the display trying to be allowed to be home from school!

It's possible to take a pets temperature using an ear thermometer, for example if you have a dog. Just be sure to insert it deep into the ear canal for the reading to be accurate. There are also models made especially for pets and animals.

Many ear thermometers have built in memory for storing readings for later viewing.

If one browses around the internet for ear thermometer reviews, the Braun models get very good reviews. Also Samsung, Omron and Vicks are trusted manufacturers. Prices range from 20 to 50 dollars.