Ear Spoon: The Best Home Remedy For Ear Infections

People have used ear picks for centuries to remove earwax from the ear canal in Europe, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Ear picks are long, thin, curved pieces of metal with a small scoop at the end. To use an ear pick, insert it into the ear canal and use it to scoop out ear wax and other debris. Europeans tend to develop dry ear wax, so they prefer ear picks over other methods or tools, such as curettes.

European ear scoops have been traditionally made from bamboo or precious metals, but they are now commonly made from stainless steel or plastic. Asian ear scoops produced until the early 19th century were usually made from bronze or precious metals.

Some health professionals discourage the use of ear picks to remove wax as it may damage the ear or cause infections. They also attribute this practice to forcing ear wax further into the ear canal, making it more difficult to remove.

 Read More: Straw Spoons

1. Viking Ear Spoon

Birka, located on the island of Bjorko in Lake Malaren and once connected to the sea, served as a key trading hub in the Baltic region from the 8th to 10th centuries. Birka connected Scandinavia economically with the settlement areas in Russia all the way to Constantinople and Arabia.  It is only since the 19th century that scientific research has been conducted; however, at that time, it was still primarily a treasure hunt for valuable burial objects. The findings were barely documented and many of them are still lying in magazines, unevaluated. The main area of the settlement consists of “black earth,” which was only investigated partially in the 1990s with modern methods.

One of the most beautiful finds is the small ear spoon, which comes from burial field 2 / district 2A / grave no.The only ear spoon made of precious metal found in Birka is the one shown here. Viking Age ear spoons comparable to this have been found in numerous locations, such as Gotland and Norway. The first pieces of these personal objects date back as early as the 3rd millennium BC in Mesopotamia.

This elegant ear spoon is about 7.7 cm in size and is fully functional.  It comes with a leather cord and a certificate in a jewellery case, making it the perfect gift for someone special.

2. A Traditional Style Hairpin Earpick

The traditional hairpin earpick is a small, thin, pointed metal tool used to clean the ear canal. It is usually made of stainless steel or nickel-plated brass. Also, the earpick has a sharp point that is used to remove earwax and dirt from the ear canal. It can also relieve itchiness and pain in the ear. To use, insert the earpick into the ear canal and rotate to remove the earwax.

3. A Modern Hairpin Earpick

A hairpin earpick is a small, thin metal rod with a sharp point at one end and a small loop at the other. Invented in the early 20th century, the hairpin earpick is a tool used for quickly and easily cleaning the ears. Although earwax removal kits are also available, the hairpin earpick remains popular today. The hairpin earpick is a simple, effective way to remove earwax and keep the ears clean.

4. An Ancient European Bronze Self-Care Utensil Set

The modern hairpin earpick is a small, thin, pointed tool used to clean the ear canal. It is usually made of stainless steel or plastic and has a small loop at the end to help remove wax buildup. Earwax is a natural substance that helps protect the ear from dirt and bacteria. However, too much wax can cause problems like hearing loss, ear pain, and itching. The hairpin earpick is a simple, safe, and effective way to remove excess earwax.

5. Japanese Ear Spoon

The Japanese ear-cleaning tool called a mimikaki is not familiar to most westerners. Though it may look interesting, it is actually quite comfortable and relaxing to use. Ear cleaners have been around for centuries in both Europe and Asia. In Asia, they were usually made of bamboo with a sharp point, curved upward for scraping. Japanese mimikaki has a strong cultural aspect that starts with the mother setting her children in her lap and regularly cleaning their ears. This type of nurturing creates an important physical bond between parent and child. There are even relaxation parlors in Japan where a customer can spend 30 minutes or an hour to have their ears cleaned by a woman dressed in kimono to relive these memories.

► Varieties of Mimikaki

There are several types of mimikaki available in Asia and some that have recently been developed in Japan are quite high quality. A few of the more common types include:

• Bamboo: The original mimikaki in Asia has been in use for over 1,000 years, if not much longer. Though straight razors are not as popular as they once were, they are still available for purchase. Over time, straight razors will eventually crack and scratch and will need to be replaced regularly.
• Plastic: This type is essentially the same shape as bamboo, but is slightly cheaper and will not crack as easily. These are the cheapest type for a reason and can still scratch the ear if not used carefully.
• Metal wire: Mimikaki has evolved over time in Japan from the traditional scoop shape to newer designs with multiple wires in cylinders or multiple prongs. Mimikaki is small, hand-held ear-cleaning tool that come in many shapes and sizes. Mimikaki has differently shaped ends to fit different ear shapes and scrape quickly and gently. Metal wire mimikaki are safer than standard bamboo mimikaki as all of the edges are smooth and rounded.

Using Mimikaki

Cleaning your ears is a delicate process and should always be done carefully. This is especially true if you’re using a traditional bamboo or plastic mimikaki, which can have rougher edges. When using a metal mimikaki, lightly scrape along the edges of your ear to clean out the wax. There’s no need to apply pressure, and be careful not to go too far into the ear canal. One advantage of the mimikaki over something like a cotton swab is that you won’t push the wax farther inside the ear, as these designs are thinner.

People traditionally use mimikaki in the bath or shower for privacy, but it can also come in handy in other places, like the living room while chatting or watching television. In Japan, some families will clean their ears together in the living room as a bonding activity. It is typically best to avoid using it in public places because people may stare, but you may occasionally see someone using it in the office in Japan.