Temperature with ear thermometers and ear problems

[jasperc163]

Is it safe to assume that intermittent higher temp in one ear than the other indicates ear inflamation/infection? Do people normally find they get the same reading from both ears?

thanks alot

You should get a slightly different reading from each ear so you need to remember which ear you took the temperature from. An ear infection wouldn't show up on the thermometer as the infection would be too far away from the tympanic membrane (in theory). The thermometer should not be inserted far into the ear enough for an infection to affect the result.

Thanks Avenanap - would you be talking 0.5-1 degree celsius differnce though? ie when she get a cold she is often normal from one ear and has a temp in the other - usually the same one?

Around a 0.5 difference is perfectly normal, just remember which ear you took the temperature from. A child under 6months shouldn't be getting temperatures so you should always take them to the GP.