An otoscope can only damage your ear if it is misused. If not used carefully, the otoscope tip may irritate the ear canal lining, so you just need to make sure that you insert the otoscope steadily and slowly. If this irritation does occur, it is unlikely to be severe and will go away on its own. The main risk comes if you insert the otoscope too far into the ear canal as there is a potential for damaging the eardrum. If you feel any kind of resistance, like something is blocking the canal, do not attempt to move the otoscope any further forward. This is a good reason to use a digital otoscope, as you’ll be able to see whether you’re encountering a foreign object that needs to be removed or your eardrum.