Hartmann Instruments

What This Collection Covers

• Hartmann ear forceps — 8.5cm, 12cm and 14cm, plus a delicate 2x6mm serrated pattern
• Hartmann ear polypus forceps — 8.5cm, 14cm and 16cm; straight jaw, jaw angled up, and 1x2 teeth
• Combination ear forceps — Hartmann-Herzfeld (2mm and 3mm cups, 2mm up-cup), Hartmann-Wullstein (1mm, 8.5cm), Hartmann-Weingartner (8.5cm) and Hartmann-Hoffmann through-cutting
• Ear specula — Hartmann ear specula (standard and black), 35mm round specula singly and as a set of 4, and a 6mm x 3.6cm Storz-pattern Hartmann speculum
• Ear catheters — Fig. 1 and Figs. 2-5
• Nasal specula — Hartmann nasal specula Figs. 1-3, adult, and the Hartmann-Halle adult, child, infant and small sizes
• Nasal and throat forceps — nasal dressing forceps (light pattern), 5mm nasal cutting forceps, 20cm polypus forceps, tonsil seizing forceps (sharp, 13mm, 20cm)
• Tuning forks — C 128 Hz, C1 256 Hz, C2 512 Hz, C3 1024 Hz, C4 2048 Hz and C5 4096 Hz
• Hemostatic forceps — 10cm straight, 1x2 teeth straight and curved, micro-Hartmann, and 3 1/2" mosquito and micro artery forceps
• Other patterns — Hartmann tongue depressor (15cm), Bane-Hartmann bone rongeur (curved, 17.5cm), Collin-Hartmann wire retractor (16cm)

Ear Forceps or Ear Polypus Forceps?

Both have a long, thin shank so the jaws can work deep in the ear canal while the hand stays out of the line of sight. The difference is the jaw. Hartmann ear forceps (often called alligator forceps) have fine serrated jaws for grasping foreign bodies, wax plugs and packing. Polypus forceps have cup-shaped or toothed jaws for taking hold of soft tissue such as polyps and granulation tissue. Length follows the canal and the setting: 8.5cm for microscope work close to the eardrum, 14-16cm for general clinic use.

How to Choose

Jaw. Serrated for grasping, cup for tissue, 1x2 teeth for a secure bite, through-cutting when tissue must be cut cleanly rather than torn.

Working length. Choose the shortest length that reaches the site. Shorter instruments are steadier under the microscope.

Speculum size. Stock more than one ear speculum size; the largest one that fits comfortably gives the best view and light.

Tuning fork frequency. 512 Hz is the frequency most used for the Rinne and Weber hearing tests. 128 Hz is commonly used to test vibration sense. The higher frequencies are used for wider hearing assessment, which is why the forks are also sold as a full run.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it Hartmann or Hartman?
Both spellings are used in the trade for the same instruments. Search either one — this page lists both.

What are Hartmann ear forceps used for?
Removing foreign bodies, wax and packing from the ear canal, and handling dressings, under direct view or the microscope.

Which tuning fork do I need for a hearing test?
The 512 Hz fork is the usual choice for the Rinne and Weber tests. Clinics that also test vibration sense often keep a 128 Hz fork as well.

Do you sell Hartmann-Halle nasal specula in children's sizes?
Yes — adult, child (Fig. 2, 30mm) and infant (Fig. 2/3) sizes, plus a small pattern.

Can I order a full ENT set?
Yes. Every instrument here can be ordered on its own, or send us your list through the quote page and our team will price it line by line, with bulk pricing for distributors and hospital procurement.

Related categories: ENT instruments, Halle nasal instruments, Wullstein otology instruments, House otology instruments, specula, hemostats and surgical forceps.