An ear curette is a tool used to clean earwax from the ear canal. It has evolved from bone, bamboo, and gold to stainless steel or disposable plastic. The three most common tips are the dipper, wire loop, and disc. Risks include perforating the eardrum, infection, and impacted wax. It is not recommended to remove earwax at home unless it causes pain or hearing loss.
An ear curette, also known as an ear pick, ear scoop, or ear scoop, is a long, thin, cylindrical instrument used to clean wax from the ear canal. The instrument itself has been around for centuries, but has evolved quite a bit in that time. Traditionally, ear curettes were made from bone, bamboo, or even gold and silver. Today, they are most commonly made from stainless steel, which can be sterilized, or plastic, which is disposable. A serious infection can be caused by a dirty curette.
The three most common tips found on an ear curette are the “dipper,” the wire loop, and the disc. The “dipper” type is the traditional tip, and is still the most popular. Shaped like a teaspoon, this tip is usually effective at removing both wet and dry earwax and is generally considered the easiest to use.
The tip of the wire loop consists of multiple nested wire loops or a spiral. The wire acts as a wax trap, making it easier to actually get the wax out of your ear. However, it’s not effective for wet earwax, which nooses can’t grab. The tip of the disc consists of a series of circular plates, usually three, which protrude from the end of the curette like a screw. These discs can catch wax adhering to the walls of the ear canal or in a plug near the eardrum.
The other end of the ear curette, opposite the tip, is also functional. Traditional curettes included a feather duster to brush dry wax flakes off the outside of the ear. Today, some manufacturers install lights to illuminate the ear canal for the procedure. Pediatricians sometimes use curettes with cartoon figures carved into the end to make the procedure less scary for children.
There are some risks associated with using an ear curette. Although many modern curettes are equipped with a safety stop, there is still the possibility of perforating the eardrum. Using a dirty or contaminated curette can lead to infection, and improper technique can actually push the wax further down the ear canal, where it can become impacted. Impacted wax can cause hearing loss and require ear irrigation.
While it is possible to remove earwax at home, most doctors do not recommend it. Earwax usually comes out of the ear naturally. It should not be removed unless it causes pain or hearing loss, in which case removal should be performed by an ear, nose and throat specialist.
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