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LETTERS: J Cleo Oliver and Venkat S S Neelapala Heatwaves and hospital staff: Taking the temperatures may be important BMJ 2006; 333: 448 [Full text]

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Ear-hole temperatures

Kenneth J. Collins   (29 August 2006)

Ear-hole temperatures 29 August 2006
Kenneth J. Collins, Clinical physiologist University College Hospitals WC1 Send response to journal: Re: Ear-hole temperatures	EDITOR - Raised body temperatures in staff and patients on wards during the July heat-wave are reported as 37.33 degrees C on the hottest day and 36.36 degrees C on a cooler day (no standard deviations given) (1). The history of investigations of deep body temperature by the tympanic method,however,suggests caution. Originally, a thermistor was placed in contact or near the tympanic membrane which required careful placement and external lagging of the ear. To remove the effect of heat conduction between the membrane and the ear canal a zero-gradient instrument was then devised. Finally, the infra-red instrument was introduced which was quicker and more acceptable to patients. However, the probe should be used carefully, like an auriscope directed on the membrane, and not, as is sometimes the case randomly focussed on the ear canal. Both low and high ambient temperatures greatly affect that of the pinna and therefore the ear-hole temperature, but not necessarily the deep body temperature. Competing interests: None declared