What type of thermometer is specifically designed for measuring ear temperature?

The tympanic thermometer is specifically designed for measuring ear temperature, utilizing infrared technology to detect the heat from the eardrum. This method is beneficial because the eardrum shares a similar blood supply with the hypothalamus, making it an accurate reflection of the body's core temperature.

In comparison, a digital thermometer can measure temperature orally, rectally, or axillary but is not specialized for ear measurement. An infrared thermometer also uses infrared technology but is generally designed for surface temperature measurements across objects or skin rather than specifically for the ear canal. A glass thermometer, while historically used to measure various types of temperatures, is slower and less safe in a clinical setting compared to more modern devices like the tympanic thermometer. Thus, the specific design and functionality of the tympanic thermometer make it the correct choice for ear temperature measurement.