Ear pick

A bamboo ear pick with a down puff
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).

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

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

Embellishments

A traditional style hairpin earpick (mimikaki kanzashi) 
A modern hairpin earpick (mimikaki kanzashi) 
An ancient European bronze self-care utensil set (toilettbestecke) with earspoon with tweezers 
Bronze Swiss self-care utensils with a tweezer, earspoon, and a nail-cleaner. Likely worn as a Chatelaine.[2] 
An Ethiopian ridged cylindrical earspoon made for wearing around a neck 
An Ethiopian cross-shaped silver earspoon made for wearing around a neck 

Culture

East Asian

Ear picks are a commonly used item and preferred for ear wax removal in East Asia, whose dry type of ear wax can be easily removed using the tool.[3]

It can be used individually or by another person. The person having his/her ears cleaned often lies or bends down with his/her 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.[4] It may also be performed by professional (non-medical) ear cleaners on the streets of cities in countries such as China, Japan, and Korea.[4]

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.[5]

European

Ear-spoons and ear picks are found dating from the post-medieval period of British history back into the Roman times.[6][7] Ear-spoons have also been found in Scandinavian archeological Viking-age dig sites.[8] Ornate ear scoops have also been found in 9th century Anglo-saxon sites.[9]

Potential hazards

The practice of ear picking may pose health hazards to the human ear. One potential danger is that of accidentally puncturing the ear drum 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. The lining of the ear is delicate and can be easily damaged. The ear is also self-cleaning and earwax is needed to protect the ear from dirt, dust, and bacterial infections.[10]

See also

References

  1. Leong AC, Aldren C (August 2005). "A non-randomized comparison of earwax removal with a 'do-it-yourself' ear vacuum kit and a Jobson-Horne probe". Clinical Otolaryngology 30 (4): 320–3. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2273.2005.01020.x. PMID 16209672.
  2. Eve D'Ambra, Roman Women (Cambridge U Press, 2007), 116-17.
  3. Overfield, T. (1985). Biologic Variation in Health and Illness: Race, Age, and Sex Differences. Menlo Park, CA, USA: Addison-Wesley Publishing. ISBN 0-201-12810-1.
  4. 1 2 Fumiko Keehn, Laura, "The Art of Ear Picking", SWINDLE Magazine (10)
  5. Krieger, Daniel (15 January 2011), "Tokyo trend: Ear-cleaning parlors", CNN Travel (Cable News Network)
  6. "Silver EAR SCOOP", Portable Antiques Scheme (The British Museum)
  7. "Cast EAR SCOOP", Portable Antiques Scheme (The British Museum)
  8. Kirsten Wolf (2004). Daily life of the Vikings. Greenwood. p. 76. ISBN 0-313-32269-4.
  9. "Anglo-Saxon Art in the Round:Animal Art", Fitzwilliam Museum (University of Cambridge)
  10. Hain, Timothy C. "Ear wax". American Hearing Research Foundation. Retrieved 7 February 2013.

External links

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