Ear pick
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/Bamboo_ear_pick.jpg/300px-Bamboo_ear_pick.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Metal_ear_pick.jpg/300px-Metal_ear_pick.jpg)
Ear picks,also calledear scoops,orear spoons,orearpicks,are a type ofcuretteused to clean the ear canal ofearwax(cerumen). They are preferred and are commonly used inEast Asia,South AsiaandSoutheast Asiabecause Asians tend to developdry ear wax.[1][2]
In Asia, these are traditionally made frombambooor precious metals such assilverorgold,but more commonly now, fromstainless steelorplastic.European ear scoops produced up to the early 19th century were made from eitherbronzeor 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
[edit]![]() | This sectionrelies largely or entirely upon asingle source.(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 acotton swabat one end are increasingly popular.
Tips
[edit]- Ladle:The traditional and most commonly seen type of tip for the ear pick. They consist of a tiny (2–5mm)spoonorspatulathat is used to scrape and scoop out ear wax.
- 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-Horneprobeused inotolaryngologyis 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.[3]
- Disks:Multiple circular disks, typically three, extend as hoops out from a thin cylindrical shaft.
Embellishments
[edit]- Down puff:A ball ofgoosedownis 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:Alight bulborLEDshines 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 smallDarumaor 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 atoothpick.This design is common in some Chinese and oldEuropeanearpicks.
-
A traditional style hairpin earpick (mimikaki kanzashi)
-
A modern hairpin earpick (mimikaki kanzashi)
-
An ancient European bronze self-care utensil set (Toilettenbesteck) with earspoon and tweezers
-
Bronze Swiss self-care utensils with a tweezer, earspoon, and a nail-cleaner. Likely worn as aChatelaine.[4]
-
An Ethiopian ridged cylindrical earspoon made for wearing around the neck
-
An Ethiopian cross-shaped silver earspoon made for wearing around the neck
Culture
[edit]East and South Asian
[edit]Ear picks are a commonly used item and preferred for ear wax removal inEast Asia,South AsiaandSoutheast Asia;most people in these areas havedry ear waxwhich can be easily removed using the tool.[5][page needed]
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.[6]It may also be performed by professional (non-medical) ear cleaners on the streets of cities in countries such asIndia,China,andVietnam.[6]
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.[7]
European
[edit]Ear-spoons and ear picks are found dating from the post-medieval period of British history back into the Roman times.[8][9]Ear-spoons have also been found in Scandinavian archeological Viking-age dig sites.[10]Ornate ear scoops have also been found in 9th centuryAnglo-saxonsites.[11]
Potential hazards
[edit]![]() | This sectionrelies largely or entirely upon asingle source.(February 2016) |
The practice of ear picking may pose health hazards to the human ear. One potential danger is that of accidentally puncturing theeardrumand/or breaking theauditory ossicleswhile 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.[12][obsolete source]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^Overfield, Theresa (1985).Biologic variation in health and illness: race, age, and sex differences.Menlo Park, Calif: Addison-Wesley, Nursing Division. p.46.ISBN978-0-201-12810-9.
... 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.
- ^"The science of stinky sweat and earwax".Australian Broadcasting Corporation.14 April 2015.
- ^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.PMID16209672.S2CID21943297.
- ^D'Ambra, Eve (2007).Roman Women.Cambridge University Press. pp. 116–17.ISBN978-0-521-81839-1.
- ^Overfield, T. (1985).Biologic Variation in Health and Illness: Race, Age, and Sex Differences.Menlo Park, CA, USA: Addison-Wesley Publishing.ISBN0-201-12810-1.
- ^abFumiko Keehn, Laura,"The Art of Ear Picking",SWINDLE Magazine(10), archived fromthe originalon 2007-09-14,retrieved2007-06-19
- ^Krieger, Daniel (15 January 2011),"Tokyo trend: Ear-cleaning parlors",CNN Travel,Cable News Network
- ^"Silver EAR SCOOP",Portable Antiques Scheme,The British Museum
- ^"Cast EAR SCOOP",Portable Antiques Scheme,The British Museum
- ^Kirsten Wolf (2004).Daily life of the Vikings.Greenwood. p.76.ISBN0-313-32269-4.
- ^"Anglo-Saxon Art in the Round:Animal Art",Fitzwilliam Museum,University of Cambridge
- ^Hain, Timothy C."Ear wax".American Hearing Research Foundation. Archived fromthe originalon 10 February 2013.Retrieved7 February2013.
External links
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)