Surgeon using the blue beam of an argon laser to operate deep within the human ear. The laser is used to remove by vaporisation acoustic neuromas - tumours which occur between the inner ear & the brain. Or it may be used to drill into the tiny bones of the inner ear to counteract hearing problems. Looking through a microscope, the surgeon directs the beam into the ear through a speculum, a type of funnel that pushes aside tissue blocking the line of sight & allows the beam access to the inner ear.