Question 1

which is more accurate a ear temp or oral temp?

Accepted Answer

Oral : Is more accurate. Though not as quick.  But some factors can make the ear thermometer miss the mark

Question 2

what is more reliable ear or oral temp? my oral is reading 98.4 and ear is 99.4?

Accepted Answer

Check the machine: Some of these machines have settings that approximate rectal or oral readings by changing the data internally. If your machine is set fro a rectal temperature like we do for infants, it will read higher. If it is set for an oral temperature, it should be the same as a regular thermometer.

Question 3

which is accurate ear or oral temp? my ear is always 99.6 -100.4 and orally it will only be 98.5?

Accepted Answer

Temperature: Probably the most accurate way to check your temp is with a rectal thermometer. In general, oral temp is more accurate than ear temp, but each can be altered.  Eating or drinking hot or cold foods can change oral temp. 
Ear thermometers measure infrared energy from the eardrum. Ear infections or a history of ear tubes may cause scarring, cold outdoor air exposure may make ear temp seem lower.

Question 4

how accurate are the thermometers that measure body temp through the ear? more or less accurate than traditional oral thermometers or about the same?

Accepted Answer

The same: Ear thermometers are very accurate.

Question 5

confused. when i visit dr they check ear temp and it has sometimes been 99.7or less. i will check oral with digital and its normal. what is correct?

Accepted Answer

Both: Your temp varies throughout the day. And, if you take an ear temp, an oral temp, an axillary temp, and a rectal temp all at the same time, there will be some variation at any given moment. Remember the 98.6 temp we know as "normal" is actually just an average of a wide range of normals. Don't sweat it. Good luck.

Question 6

face feels hot. temp on oral thermometer normal but ear thermometer 99.6. which should i trust? nervous b/c pregnant

Accepted Answer

Ear is more accurate: for most people as it is nearly impossible to do the test incorrectly.  However, 99.6 is a very mild fever.

Question 7

what type of thermometer is more accurate? ear or oral? one says i have a fever and the other says no. i do feel like i have a temp however.

Accepted Answer

Oral: if done properly is probably more accurate.  Rectal is most accurate.

Question 8

what is normal ear temp while pregnant? i have a thermoscan that reads 100f but can't tell if that's  a fever.  ear temp should be higher than oral

Accepted Answer

Normal: Ear temp is easy to take, and is quite accurate. 100 degrees is well within normal limits. Congratulations!

Question 9

i feel like coming down with something stuffy nose,soar throat oral temperature showing 98.1, ear temp showing 99.7 which one is more accurate?

Accepted Answer

Both normal: Both measurements showed temp around the normal range (even though the ear one may be borderline high).  It is hard to say which one is more accurate since it depends on the quality of the instrument used and the way you use the instrument (whether correctly or not).  You seem to be having a cold.

Question 10

i have oral temp of 99.6. i have sinus pressure, the mucus coming out nose is less but the sinus pressure is not. my ears have minor pain, neck lymph nodes tender. 15th day today. is it just a cold?

Accepted Answer

Sinus infection: A temp of 99.6 is not impressive but sinus pressure that lasts for over 2 weeks usually means a sinus infection.  Ear pain and tender lymph nodes also add up to an infection.  See your doctor for possible antibiotics.  It was worth waiting a few days to see if it would clear by itself but now you need an evaluation.

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Doctor answers about:

Ear temp vs oral temp

A member asked:

Which is more accurate a ear temp or oral temp?

A member asked:

What is more reliable ear or oral temp? my oral is reading 98.4 and ear is 99.4?

A member asked:

Which is accurate ear or oral temp? my ear is always 99.6 -100.4 and orally it will only be 98.5?

A member asked:

How accurate are the thermometers that measure body temp through the ear? more or less accurate than traditional oral thermometers or about the same?

A member asked:

Confused. when i visit dr they check ear temp and it has sometimes been 99.7or less. i will check oral with digital and its normal. what is correct?

A member asked:

Face feels hot. temp on oral thermometer normal but ear thermometer 99.6. which should i trust? nervous b/c pregnant

A member asked:

What type of thermometer is more accurate? ear or oral? one says i have a fever and the other says no. i do feel like i have a temp however.

A member asked:

What is normal ear temp while pregnant? i have a thermoscan that reads 100f but can't tell if that's a fever. ear temp should be higher than oral

A member asked:

I feel like coming down with something stuffy nose,soar throat oral temperature showing 98.1, ear temp showing 99.7 which one is more accurate?

A member asked:

I have oral temp of 99.6. i have sinus pressure, the mucus coming out nose is less but the sinus pressure is not. my ears have minor pain, neck lymph nodes tender. 15th day today. is it just a cold?

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