In-Ear Thermometer Accuracy: What Factors Influence It?

The general consensus is that ear thermometers are more accurate. This is due to the close contact nature of the method which avoids external heat sources mixing the results. However, there are pros and cons to both.

As workplaces begin to open up after COVID-19 restrictions lift, business owner’s minds will be turning to how they can protect their employees and customers, as well as following government guidelines. Having the right health and safety products in place will be crucial for safely and efficiently opening your business while keeping everyone safe. 

As many of us know, one of the key symptoms of COVID-19 is an increased temperature, so this is why businesses should be providing opportunities for colleagues to monitor their temperature to track their health and ensure the workplace remains COVID free. 

So, what are the most efficient tools for testing your temperature? 

The most popular temperature testing tools are forehead thermometers and ear thermometers, so let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each temperature tool.  

Forehead Thermometer 

Forehead thermometers, also known as temporal artery thermometers use infrared technology to identify the temperature of the temporal artery in your forehead. 

Forehead thermometers are the easiest temperature detecting tool as you simply swipe or press the thermometer across the forehead to gain a temperature reading. This is the most convenient and non-invasive way of testing your employee’s temperature and monitoring any changes to protect against Coronavirus. 

Another benefit is that the forehead thermometer produces a temperature reading incredibly quickly. So, you can quickly and easily determine an accurate temperature reading. 

However, forehead thermometers can be sensitive to external heat and will be affected by any sweat on the individual’s forehead. Unfortunately, this can affect the thermometer’s accuracy, but this can be avoided by ensuring the individual has a clean and dry forehead. 

For businesses looking to safely and efficiently test employee and client temperatures, the best tool to use would be a Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer, designed to test forehead temperatures from 0.5-0.2 inches away. 

This ‘point and click’ style forehead thermometer can be used from a safe distance as the tester can stand arm’s length away from the individual having their temperature checked. This is a big positive for businesses looking to safely reopen after the Coronavirus lockdown as social distancing can be maintained while accurately testing temperatures.   

If you are looking to monitor your own temperature regularly, a simple clinical forehead thermometer will be sufficient for quickly and accurately testing your temperature. 

Ear Thermometer 

The ear thermometer, also known as the tympanic thermometer, also uses infrared technology to read the temperature inside your ear canal. Using an ear thermometer is slightly trickier to use than a forehead thermometer and requires a steady hand. 

To use an ear thermometer, you insert the top of the thermometer inside the patient’s ear canal and press a button to activate the temperature reading. 

Once activated, the ear thermometer produces a very quick and accurate temperature reading. For example, the tympanic ear thermometer produces a temperature result within seconds. 

However, testing temperature with an ear thermometer is more invasive than forehead testing and this can be uncomfortable or difficult to perform in the workplace. In addition, ear thermometers will not be as accurate if an individual has a lot of ear wax or suffers from ear infections, so this has to be considered. 

Nonetheless, when used correctly, ear thermometers are highly-accurate and can provide a precise temperature reading quickly. Using an ear thermometer could be a good way for employees to self-test their own temperature, and companies can invest in disposable ear probe covers to allow employees to safely use the equipment and avoid any cross-contamination. 

Both ear and forehead thermometer temperature testing methods are highly accurate and a good source of testing. However, to achieve continual accuracy and to build a safe working environment, you need to choose a method and stick to it to ensure consistency in testing and a fair test. 

For more information on temperature testing, or to ask more about how to prepare for your employees coming back to work, contact one of our health and safety experts today. You can reach the MorSafe team on 01686 611 377. 

Written by Laura Mallinson for Morsafe Supplies.