Always make sure a new, clean lens filter is in place to help ensure an accurate reading - the thermometer will not function without a lens filter attached.
Press the memory button - the LCD (liquid crystal display) is activated, showing all segments. When the ready symbol is displayed the thermometer is ready for use.
To help ensure an accurate temperature reading, use the following technique: If you are right handed, hold the thermometer in the right hand and take the temperature in the right ear. If you are left handed, hold it in the left hand and use the left ear.
Perform an ear tug to straighten the ear canal. This gives the thermometer a clear view of the eardrum.
- Children under 1 year: Pull the ear straight back.
- Children aged 1 year to adult: Pull the ear up and back.
An ear tug is best performed by using your free hand to grasp the outer edge of the top half of the ear. To take your own temperature, wrap your free hand around the back of your head and grab your ear from behind.
While tugging the ear, fit the probe snugly into the ear canal as far as possible and press the activation button. Release it when you hear a beep. This is the Temp Beep that confirms the end of measurement.
Remove the thermometer from the ear canal. The LCD displays the temperature measured.
Replace the lens filter after each measurement: press the ejector button and put on a new, clean lens filter.
A new measurement can be taken as long as the ready symbol is shown. If no button is pressed within 2 minutes, the thermometer will turn off automatically.
Note: In the following situations, it is recommended that you take three temperatures in the same ear. If they differ, use the highest reading.
- Infants in the first 90 days of life.
- Children under three years of age who have a condition such as a compromised immune system and for whom the presence or absence of fever is critical.
- When you are first learning to use the ear thermometer until you are comfortable with the technique and are obtaining consistent readings.
Important: As with any type of thermometer, slight temperature variations ( ± 0.3 - 0.5 °F / ± 0.2 - 0.3 °C) can occur, if consecutive measurements are taken.
Temperature taking hints
The right ear reading may differ from the reading taken at the left ear. Therefore, always take the temperature in the same ear.
The ear must be free from obstructions or excess earwax buildup to take an accurate reading.
External factors may influence ear temperatures, including when an individual has:
- been lying on one ear or the other
- had their ears covered
- been exposed to very hot or very cold temperatures, or
- been recently swimming or bathing.
In these cases, remove the individual from the situation and wait 20 minutes prior to taking a temperature.
The last temperature taken before the thermometer powers down is stored in memory. To enter the memory mode, press the /mem button. Even in memory mode, a new temperature can be taken provided that the ready symbol is shown.
Special situations
The Braun ThermoScan thermometer has been shown in clinical studies to obtain accurate temperatures on persons of all ages.
However, there are certain situations when the ear thermometer should not be used. These include but may not be limited to the following situations.
- If there is blood or drainage in the external ear canal.
- For persons who have deformities of the face and ear canal where the probe of the thermometer cannot be inserted fully into the ear canal.
- For persons wearing hearing aids or ear plugs, remove the device and wait 20 minutes prior to taking a temperature.
- Use the untreated ear if prescription ear drops or other ear medications have been placed in the ear canal.
Never attempt to clean inside ears. You could damage the ear drum or surrounding tissues. You should remove excess ear wax only when you can reach it with a wash cloth. If you suspect that you or your child has excess ear wax, consult your Doctor.
Fever facts
Many persons may not have an elevated temperature even when they are ill. These include, but are not limited to infants under 90 days of age, persons taking steroids, antibiotics or antipyretics (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin), persons with compromised immune systems, including the elderly or persons with some chronic illnesses. Consult your physician if you feel an illness is present even if there may not be an elevated temperature.
Fever is described as an elevation of body temperature over an individual’s normal temperature.
An elevated temperature or fever is often viewed as a danger sign.
In fact, a fever can be very beneficial, and helps our immune system work more effectively. A fever should be evaluated in the light of other physical symptoms. With the exception of newborn infants, the presence of fever, without any other symptoms of illness, or in a child who is behaving normally may not be cause for concern. On the other hand, a physician should be consulted in the following situations:
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- changes in appetite, activity or breathing, or
- with children who are irritable, lethargic or unusually sleepy.
Some people, like the elderly, infants under 90 days of age, those with compromised immune systems, or persons who take steroids, for example are often unable to build a response to illness or environmental conditions. These individuals may not have a fever when they are ill, or their elevated temperature may be lower than expected for the severity of their illness. Other medications such as anti-inflammatories and some analgesics may also mask fever.
The presence or absence of fever should rarely be used as the only measurement of the significance of illness. Your physician should be contacted whenever there is a question about your family’s health.
Antipyretics, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, are usually recommended to relieve the aches and associated symptoms of fever, not the fever itself. Febrile seizures, or convulsions, which usually occur in children six months to six years of age, are thought to occur not because a fever is present, but because of the rate of rise of the child’s temperature. Call your physician if your child has a febrile seizure or you desire further information.
Use of the Braun ThermoScan thermometer is not intended as a substitute for consultation with your Doctor.
