Ear candle therapy (also known as ear coning) has become increasingly popular in recent years as a method for removing problem build-ups of ear wax. Anyone considering ear candling should weigh carefully the safety and effectiveness of the procedure.
What is Ear Candling?
It is often said that ear candles were first used by the Native American Hopi Tribe, though this is disputed, not least by the Hopi themselves. The basic principles of the “Hopi” ear candle seem to have a long history, however; similar methods may have been used by the Ancient Egyptians and in other cultures worldwide.
Comprising hollow tubes or cones made from cotton cloth reinforced with beeswax, ear candles are now widely available to buy online and from health stores.
During ear candle therapy, the user lies on his or her side while the candle is inserted into the ear and its external end set alight. The heat of the flame is said to soften the wax within the ear, while the suction created by the burning of the oxygen inside the tube draws the ear wax out. When the candle has burned down to around two inches in length, it is discarded along with its contents – a residue that is claimed to comprise wax and other debris that has been extracted from inside the ear.
An ear candling session may last as long as an hour and require several ear candles, depending on the amount of ear wax to be removed.
Are Ear Candles Safe?
There are two broad safety issues associated with ear candling therapy:
- risks of burns and fires
- risks of injury to the ear.
Inserting any object into the ear carries a danger of damaging or even rupturing the eardrum. A perforated eardrum leads to hearing loss and may require surgery to repair.
Ear candles have been reported as a cause of severe skin and scalp burns, and even house fires, when used carelessly. To protect the user’s face from hot ash and dripping beeswax, ear candles are usually inserted through a hole in a paper or aluminium foil plate placed against the cheek. These shields will not, however, prevent hot wax running down the inside of the candle and into the ear, where it may burn the ear canal or eardrum.
In some cases, ear candle wax that falls into the user’s ear may worsen rather cure his or her ear wax problem.
These problems may be minimized when ear candling is performed by an experienced practitioner, but ear candles are often used by non-experts at home, where the risks are greater.
Does Ear Candling Work?
Users may find that ear candling therapy relaxes them and improves their general feeling of well-being.
However, there is currently no scientific evidence that ear candles remove ear wax. The heat and suction are thought to be insufficient to draw out wax from inside the ear, and studies have shown that the residue produced by ear candling is simply ear candle wax and soot.
Get Advice on Ear Candling
Ear candle therapy has been claimed to have many health benefits, but evidence suggests it is of no use for ear wax removal and may do more harm than good. For these reasons, it is not generally recommended by conventional physicians. Anyone considering ear candling should consult their doctor first for advice, particularly as the procedure may be more hazardous in people with an existing ear disorder.
References:
Active Health. Ear Candling. Accessed 25-06-10
Ear Help. Ear Candling for Reducing Ear Wax Build Up. Accessed 25-06-10
Ernst E. Ear Candles: A Triumph of Ignorance Over Science. J Laryngol Otol 2004; 118(1): 1−2.
Healing Arts Institute. Ear Candling Experiment. Accessed 25-06-10
Seely DR et al. Ear Candles-Efficacy and Safety. Laryngoscope 2009; 106(10): 1226−9.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
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