Ear-cleaning trends on TikTok, including the use of tiny tools, olive oil, and harsh chemicals like hydrogen peroxide, are gaining millions of views, but audiologists are warning that these practices are unnecessary and could cause serious damage.
Gordon Harrison, chief audiologist at Specsavers, advises against any at-home earwax removal due to the risk of infection or injury. 'As a rule of thumb, don't put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear,' he said.
Christina Kourie, a clinical audiologist at Pindrop Hearing in London, highlighted the dangers of using hydrogen peroxide, a common household cleaner, in the ear. She noted that other trends include using olive oil, digging tools, and even small cameras to clean the ear canal.
Experts stress that ears are self-cleaning. Earwax traps dust and bacteria and naturally drains out. Using cotton buds or other objects can push wax deeper, causing blockages or infections. In severe cases, the eardrum could be punctured.
'Our ears are very efficient in cleaning themselves,' Harrison said. 'It is ironically the people who try to clean their ears who usually end up with impacted earwax.'
For safe cleaning, audiologists recommend gently wiping the outer ear with a soft cloth and leaving the inner ear alone. Anyone with excess wax should seek professional removal.
