Tell Young Patients to Blow Out the "Candle"

Hold an otoscope with the light on in front of the patient and ask him or her to make believe it is a candle. Tell the child to blow out the "candle," and turn off the otoscope light when he complies with a deep inhalation and exhalation. Turn the otoscope light on again to encourage repeated attempts. - Hien Nguyen, MD
   Fairfax, Va
 

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