Endoscope ear pick: An emerging but neglected medical device

Earwax (cerumen), a normal bodily secretion, can become a problem when it obstructs the ear canal. Earwax removal is a difficult task for specialists because of the ear's unique location and the ear canal's intricate structure. Using ear scoops or cotton swabs to dig out ear wax in daily life is like "a blind man walking on a cliff." Improper operation may damage the ear canal or the eardrum. Thus, we need a pair of visible "eyes," otoscopes, to help us see earwax intuitively. As opposed to traditional otoscopes, which only serve as a visual aid, the endoscopic ear pick allows us to not only view the ear canal but also remove wax or other obstructions from the ear. In this review, we discussed endoscope ear pick pros and cons and discussed their future role.