It is narrated from Nafi' (may Allah have mercy on him) that Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) used to take water with his fingers for wiping his ears. As for the narration transmitted from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "The ears are part of the head", this narration is transmitted with weak chains, which we have mentioned in (our book) al-Khilaf.
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب الطهارة / 311