Ear picks, ear scoops, or ear spoons, are a type of curette used to clean the ear canal of earwax (cerumen). These are traditionally made from bamboo or precious metals such as silver or gold, but more commonly from stainless steel or plastic. Ear picks are a commonly used item and preferred for ear wax removal in Asia. The dry type of ear wax is found in persons of Asian descent. Down puff or feathers are located at the opposite end of some of the ear picks and are 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. Date of construction not given.