Devices, systems, and methods can be employed to facilitate indirect viewing into cavities such as, but not limited to, the middle ear space. Some embodiments have uses such as, but not limited to, facilitating visualization and procedures in the outer, middle, and/or inner ear in order to diagnose and/or treat disorders including, but not limited to, hearing loss and other ear disorders. In particular implementations, a surgical microscope is used in conjunction with an inverter lens and a distal lens. In some cases, the distal lens transverses a membrane or septum such as, but not limited to, the tympanic membrane. The distal lens can be an assembly combining two or more lenses, in some embodiments. For example, in some cases wide angle lenses, zoom lenses, lenses of other various shapes and/or prisms can be used in the distal lens.

A handle assembly for a gouge includes a handle, where a distal end of the handle includes first threads. The handle assembly includes a grip that has an interior channel. At least a portion of the interior channel includes second threads that mate with the first threads on the distal end of the handle to secure the grip to the handle. The handle assembly also includes a collet. A distal end of the collet includes an opening that is sized to receive a proximal end of a gouge. The handle assembly further includes a collar that is sized to receive the collet, and that mounts onto a distal end of the grip.