Videos of people cleaning out their earwax using ear canal cameras have amassed millions of views on TikTok. However, Mr Amit Parmar, Consultant ENT at Midland Health, is urging Brits to be cautious of popular at-home ear cameras.
In the past month, searches for “ear wax removal tools” have increased by 20%. Similarly, searches for “ear cameras” have risen by 8% in the past quarter. Mr Parmar warns that the DIY devices could do far more harm than good, damaging the delicate ear canal, eardrum or even the ossicles ( small bones of hearing)
“The real issue is that these devices give people a false sense of control. While it may be satisfying to see into your ear, one wrong move and you’re potentially facing a ruptured eardrum or permanent hearing damage. Even with a clear live feed on your phone, few people understand what they’re actually looking at and how to treat it safely.
“The ear is an incredibly delicate, tightly packed space. It’s not somewhere to experiment based on a TikTok trend. Many of these devices are marketed as being user-friendly and safe. However, they are potentially dangerous without suitable training.
“Not to mention, a lot of the cheaper ear cameras are made with poor-quality materials that wouldn’t meet the same standards as medical equipment used in clinics. If you don’t have the proper tools, the risk of infection increases significantly.
“It’s important to remember that your ears are designed to clean themselves. In most cases, earwax moves naturally out of the canal. But when people interfere, especially with tools that aren’t made for safe, precise medical use, it pushes wax deeper or causes injury.
“Just because something goes viral and rakes up millions of views doesn’t mean it’s safe or verified. Although influencers may mean well, your hearing health shouldn’t be left to someone filming their DIY ear excavation for clicks.”
“If you’re concerned about earwax build-up, it’s always best to see a professional. After all, they have safer, more effective methods at their disposal, such as microsuctioning or irrigation. The at-home tools simply don’t compare.”