Smoother Ear Exams

When you examine a young child's ears, position the patient on the parent's lap with his or her abdomen against that of the parent, one leg on either side of the parent's trunk, and the child's head against the parent's chest. Have the parent reach one arm around the child's shoulders, and with the other hand hold the child's head against his or her own chest. After you examine the exposed ear, ask the parent to turn the child's head so you can examine the other ear.