• Asitha D L Jayawardena, Leila A Mankarious, Donald G Keamy, and Michael S Cohen.
• Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
• Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020 Nov 1; 163 (5): 1061-1063.

AbstractSARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus resulting in the present COVID-19 pandemic, has increased the otolaryngologist's reliance on telemedicine to manage outpatient pathology. The nature of telemedicine, however, limits a provider's ability to obtain a comprehensive physical examination, specifically of the tympanic membrane. Various smartphone-based otoscopic attachments are now available that facilitate patient-obtained otoscopic image capture of the tympanic membrane. Here, we present 3 cases in which a patient-purchased, over-the-counter otoscope was utilized to alter otologic management during the time of social distancing. Further research is necessary to improve our understanding the safety and efficacy of patient-based "at-home" otoscopic examination and to optimize the use of these devices.

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