Ear cleaning ASMR: what it is and how to listen
Updated
What you are hearing
Ear cleaning ASMR is a roleplay of the act, not the act itself. Nothing is being cleaned. The creator uses a microphone shaped or placed to stand in for an ear, and brushes it, taps it or rubs it with soft tools while making close, quiet sounds. The result is a slow, repetitive sound that many people find soothing.
Why headphones matter
Most ear cleaning videos are recorded with two microphones, one for each side, so the sound moves from left to right the way it would around your head. Over speakers, that effect mostly disappears. Wear headphones if you can, and keep the volume low. These videos are meant to be quiet, and turning them up to hear the detail is a common way to end up with a startling sound.
Sounds you will meet
Soft brushing, a sound like fine bristles moving across a surface. Tapping and scratching on a hard shell. Cotton or fluffy material rubbed close to the microphone. Slow whispered talk, often describing what is about to happen. Not all of these will suit you. Pick the one that does and look for more of it.
A note on real ears
Do not copy what you see in these videos on your own ears. The videos are performances, and the tools are usually props or are used on a microphone. If your ears bother you, ask a doctor.