View source for Ear pick

{{Short description|Type of curette to clean the ear}}
{{about|an instrument for personal care|the European pole-arm|Bohemian earspoon}}

[[File:Bamboo ear pick.jpg|thumb|300px|A bamboo ear pick with a down puff]]
[[File:Metal ear pick.jpg|thumb|300px|A metal ear pick]]

'''Ear picks''', also called '''ear scoops''', or '''ear spoons''', or '''earpicks''', are a type of [[curette]] used to clean the ear canal of [[earwax]] (cerumen). They are preferred and are commonly used in [[East Asia]], [[South Asia]] and [[Southeast Asia]] because Asians tend to develop [[Earwax#Wet or dry|dry ear wax]].<ref name="Overfield">{{Cite book |last=Overfield |first=Theresa |url=https://archive.org/details/biologicvariatio0000over/page/46 |title=Biologic variation in health and illness: race, age, and sex differences |publisher=Addison-Wesley, Nursing Division |year=1985 |isbn=0-201-12810-1 |location=Menlo Park, Calif |page=[https://archive.org/details/biologicvariatio0000over/page/46 46] |lccn=85001338 |oclc=11677368 |ol=3021176M |quote=... most common type in Whites and Blacks is dark brown and moist. Dry wax, most common in Orientals and Native Americans, is gray and dry. It is flaky and may form a thin mass that lies in the ear canal.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kruszelnicki |first=Karl |author-link=Karl Kruszelnicki |date=14 April 2015 |title=The science of stinky sweat and earwax |url=http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2015/04/14/4213402.htm |website=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]}}</ref>

In Asia, these are traditionally made from [[bamboo]] or precious metals such as [[silver]] or [[gold]], but more commonly now, from [[stainless steel]] or [[plastic]]. European ear scoops produced up to the early 19th century were made from either [[bronze]] or precious metals such as silver.

Use of ear picks to remove wax is discouraged by some health professionals for fear of damaging the ear and causing infections.

==Types==
{{One source section|date=February 2016}}

Other than the wide variety of materials used to make them, ear picks vary widely in their tips and embellishments. Disposable plastic ear picks with a [[cotton swab]] at one end are increasingly popular.

===Tips===
*''Ladle'': The traditional and most commonly seen type of tip for the ear pick. They comprise a {{cvt|0.2|-|0.5|cm|in}} [[spoon]] or [[spatula]]. 
*''Loop(s)'': Tips made of single or multiple bent semi-nested loops of wire. The loops scrape and dislodge ear wax, which is then lodged in between the loops of wire. This tip does not function well in removing wet-type ear wax. A variation of this are wire loops twisted into a spiral, similar in shape to the tips of cotton swabs. The [[Jobson-Horne probe]] used in [[audiology]] and [[otolaryngology]] is in effect a loop-type ear-pick, where the ladle of the curette is fenestrated to effectively remove either dry or moist-type impacted  earwax.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Leong |first1=AC |last2=Aldren |first2=Christopher |date=August 2005 |title=A non-randomized comparison of earwax removal with a 'do-it-yourself' ear vacuum kit and a Jobson-Horne probe |journal=[[Clinical Otolaryngology]] |volume=30 |issue=4 |pages=320–3 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2273.2005.01020.x |pmid=16209672 |s2cid=21943297}}</ref>
*''Disks'': Multiple circular disks, typically three, extend as hoops out from a thin cylindrical shaft.

===Embellishments===
*''Down puff'': A ball of [[goose]] [[down feathers|down]] is located at the opposite end of the ear pick away from the tip. This is used to clean out tiny specks of flaky ear wax on the outer ear that may have broken off during the process of ear cleaning.
*''Safety stop'': A means of preventing deep insertion into ear canal to prevent eardrum injury.
*''Illumination'': A [[light bulb]] or [[Light-emitting diode|LED]] shines light through the clear plastic tip (usually a Ladle type) of the ear pick to illuminate the inside of the ear canal, which eases ear cleaning.
*''Figurine'': A plastic or wooden figure, such as a small [[Daruma doll|Daruma]] or cartoon characters are placed at the opposite end of the tip. They exist mainly to enhance the aesthetics of the ear pick.
*''Toothpick'': Some earpicks end with a pointed tail, which is used as a [[toothpick]]. This design is common in some Chinese and old [[Europe]]an earpicks.

{{Gallery
|width=120
|File:Japanese - Hair Ornament (kanzashi) with Ear Pick - Walters 572159.jpg| A traditional style hairpin earpick (mimikaki kanzashi)
|File:Mimikaki kanzashi.JPG| A modern hairpin earpick (mimikaki kanzashi)
|File:Ohrlöffel.jpg|An ancient European bronze self-care utensil set (Toilettenbesteck) with earspoon and tweezers
|File:Toilettbestecke Regensburg.jpg|Bronze Swiss self-care utensils with a tweezer, earspoon, and a nail-cleaner. Likely worn as a [[Chatelaine (chain)|Chatelaine]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=D'Ambra |first=Eve |title=Roman Women |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-521-81839-1 |pages=116–17 |lccn=2005036464 |oclc=62679876 |ol=3419867M}}</ref>
|File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Zilveren oorlepeltje TMnr 5143-57.jpg|An Ethiopian ridged cylindrical earspoon made for wearing around the neck
|File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Zilveren oorlepeltje TMnr 5143-48.jpg |An Ethiopian  cross-shaped silver earspoon made for wearing around the neck
}}

== Culture ==

=== East and South Asian ===
{{main|Ear picking}}
[[File:Mimikaki Ear pick 8jo WATANABE Hachijo.jpg|thumb|300px|Japanese man using ear pick]]
Ear picks are a commonly used item and preferred for ear wax removal in [[East Asia]], [[South Asia]] and [[Southeast Asia]]; most people in these areas have [[Ear wax#Wet or dry|dry ear wax]] which can be easily removed using the tool.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Overfield, T. |url=https://archive.org/details/biologicvariatio0000over |title=Biologic Variation in Health and Illness: Race, Age, and Sex Differences |publisher=[[Addison-Wesley Publishing]] |year=1985 |isbn=0-201-12810-1 |location=Menlo Park, CA, USA |lccn=85001338 |oclc=11677368 |ol=3021176M}}</ref>{{pn|date=November 2018}}

It can be used individually or by another person. The person having their ears cleaned often lies or bends down with their head in the lap of the person doing the cleaning.  The cleaning of ears is often performed by a parent on a child or, among adults, by one's partner.<ref name="LFK" /> It may also be performed by professional (non-medical) ear cleaners on the streets of cities in countries such as [[India]], [[China]], and [[Vietnam]].<ref name="LFK">{{Citation |last=Keehn |first=Laura Fumiko |title=The Art of Ear Picking |work=[[Swindle (magazine)|SWINDLE Magazine]] |issue=10 |url=http://swindlemagazine.com/issue10/the-art-of-ear-picking/ |access-date=2007-06-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070914024004/http://swindlemagazine.com/issue10/the-art-of-ear-picking/ |archive-date=2007-09-14 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Some individuals find ear-picking to be highly pleasurable, thus contributing to the popularity of this service being offered in Asian establishments such as massage parlors, spas, and salons.<ref>{{Citation |last=Krieger |first=Daniel |title=Tokyo trend: Ear-cleaning parlors |date=15 January 2011 |work=[[CNN Travel]] |url=http://travel.cnn.com/tokyo/life/new-era-ear-cleaning-has-arrived-tokyo-878557 |publisher=Cable News Network |access-date=11 September 2013 |archive-date=17 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917123254/http://travel.cnn.com/tokyo/life/new-era-ear-cleaning-has-arrived-tokyo-878557 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== European ===
Ear-spoons and ear picks are found dating from the post-medieval period of British history back into the Roman times.<ref>{{citation |title=Silver EAR SCOOP |journal=Portable Antiques Scheme |publisher=The British Museum |url=http://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/material/22/objectType/EAR+SCOOP}}</ref><ref>{{citation |title=Cast EAR SCOOP |journal=Portable Antiques Scheme |publisher=The British Museum |url=http://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/manufacture/1/objectType/EAR+SCOOP}}</ref> Ear-spoons have also been found in Scandinavian archeological Viking-age dig sites.<ref name="Wolf">{{Cite book |last=Wolf |first=Kirsten |url=https://archive.org/details/dailylifeofvikin00kirs/page/76 |title=Daily life of the Vikings |publisher=Greenwood |year=2004 |isbn=0-313-32269-4 |page=[https://archive.org/details/dailylifeofvikin00kirs/page/76 76] |lccn=2004015184 |oclc=55846285 |ol=10420198M}}</ref> Ornate ear scoops have also been found in 9th century [[Anglo-saxon]] sites.<ref>{{citation |publisher=[[University of Cambridge]] |title=Anglo-Saxon Art in the Round:Animal Art |journal=[[Fitzwilliam Museum]] |url=http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/gallery/anglosaxon/theme3.html |access-date=2013-09-12 |archive-date=2013-07-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703184951/http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/gallery/anglosaxon/theme3.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Potential hazards ==
{{One source section|date=February 2016}}The practice of ear picking may pose health hazards to the human ear if performed incorrectly. One potential danger is that of accidentally puncturing the [[eardrum]] and/or breaking the [[auditory ossicles]] while ear picking. Usage of unsterilized ear picks can also cause infection when they are shared among different individuals.

Ear cleaning in general may also be ineffective when used by one with little experience or guidance. When done incorrectly, significant amounts of ear wax may be pushed deeper into the ear canal rather than removed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-21 |title=Can You Massage Ear Wax Out? A Gentle and Natural Approach |url=https://bebird.com/blogs/news/can-you-massage-ear-wax-out-a-gentle-and-natural-approach |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Bebird |language=en}}</ref> The lining of the ear is delicate and can be easily damaged. Furthermore, the ear itself is to an extent self-cleaning, and produces earwax as protection from dirt, dust, and bacterial infections.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 24, 2024 |title=Essential Tools for Ear Care: A Closer Look at the Cerumen Hook and Jobson Horne Probe |url=https://medicalresearch.com/essential-tools-for-ear-care-a-closer-look-at-the-cerumen-hook-and-jobson-horne-probe/ |website=MedicalResearch.com}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Ear picking]]
*[[Cotton swab]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Ear picks}}
*{{YouTube|id=Iz8k-XI0jDA|title=Ear picker – Agra, India}}
*{{YouTube|id=QXsSxy1BF0w|title=Asian Ear Cleaning}}
*{{YouTube|id=oDObYVlzj_0|title=Safety Stop for ear pic}}

[[Category:Ear|Pick]]
[[Category:Hand tools]]