We recently had the chance to review OTO-TIP by Clear Ear, founded by Lily Truong and Vandana Jain, MD out of the Stanford Biodesign Innovation Fellowship. The concept was developed to address a simple problem that is the leading cause of hearing loss: ear wax.
The OTO-TIP extracts ear wax with a soft silicone screw tip that rotates within the ear canal. It has a clever guard to facilitate proper use and prevent users from inserting the device too deeply. The company claims vacuum-assisted technologies are ineffective and cotton swabs are unsafe. In our tests, the device performs as intended – it is able to remove even small particles of wax, is comfortable, and is easy-to-use. It is hard to imagine the OTO-TIP causing injury, however, for young children the rotational tip may be scary at first sight (at least it was for my son). The device requires a replaceable battery and so far I haven’t had to replace it, but time will tell how long the battery will last with gentle use.
Pros
- Simple, yet effective in our testing
- Protective guard promotes safe use with very little, if any, instruction required
Cons
- Price – the base product retails for $49 and $14.99 for replacement tips which some may find too expensive for what the product offers
- May not be a great solution for some younger children as the motorized action and sensation may scare them away
Summary
The technology delivers on its promise – it is easy-to-use and in our testing, effective for removal of ear wax. Overall, some may find the device too expensive but for those who suffer with frequent issues this may be just what you are looking for.
Here’s a short info video for the OTO-TIP:
Link to purchase the OTO-TIP on Amazon…
Product page: OTO-TIP…
