Ben Carter
Ear candling, also known as ear coning, is a technique that involves placing a hollow candle soaked in beeswax or paraffin inside the ear. The far end of the candle is lit, and the heat allegedly produces suction to draw out ear wax, debris, and bacteria from the ear canal. Despite its popularity, there is no scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of ear candling. On the contrary, it has been associated with several risks, including burns, earwax compaction, and eardrum perforation. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned against its use, emphasizing the lack of valid scientific evidence for any medical benefits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific basis | No scientific evidence to support the use of ear candling |
| Effectiveness | Ineffective in removing ear wax, treating tinnitus, sinus pressure, headaches, infections, etc. |
| Safety | Unsafe method to clean ears; can cause burns, earwax accumulation, hearing loss, eardrum perforation, etc. |
| Legitimacy | Not endorsed by healthcare professionals, FDA, Health Canada, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
The process: How is ear candling done?
Ear candling is a practice during which a lit, hollow candle is inserted into the external auditory canal. The candle is typically made of cotton or linen, tightly wound into a cone shape and soaked in beeswax, paraffin, or soy wax. The process involves the following steps:
- Cut a hole in a paper or foil plate to catch any wax drippings.
- Lie on your side with the ear to be treated facing up.
- Place the candle in your ear canal, with the plate between your head and the candle to prevent wax and ash from falling on your face.
- Light the opposite end of the candle.
- Allow the candle to burn for about 15 minutes, trimming away any burnt material as it burns.
- Extinguish the flame and remove the candle when it is a few inches from your head.
- Wipe the outer ear clean with a cotton ball or pad.
Proponents of ear candling believe that the heat from the candle creates suction, drawing out earwax, debris, and bacteria from the ear canal. They claim that the dark substance left in the candle stub after the session is proof of the removed earwax and impurities. However, it is important to note that there is no scientific evidence to support these claims, and the practice has been associated with safety risks and side effects.
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Safety concerns: What are the risks?
Ear candling is a scientifically unproven and potentially unsafe alternative remedy. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned people to avoid using ear candles and coning practitioners since 2010. The FDA has also seized products from ear candle manufacturers and retailers. The organisation takes the public health threat of ear candling seriously.
The practice involves inserting a 10- to 15-inch-long, cone-shaped, hollow candle, typically made of wax-impregnated cloth, into the ear canal and lighting the exposed end. The purported mechanism of action is that the warmth of the flame creates a vacuum that draws out ear wax and impurities. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. In fact, one study found that ear candles do not produce negative pressure, and a clinical trial showed no removal of ear wax from the external auditory canal.
There are several risks associated with ear candling, including:
- Burns: The open flame and melting wax pose a risk of burning the skin, hair, and ear canal.
- Obstruction: Candle wax may drip into the ear canal, causing a blockage and potentially impacting hearing.
- Perforation of the eardrum: Inserting any object into the ear carries a risk of puncturing the eardrum, which can cause significant harm and discomfort.
- Infection: Pushing wax further into the ear canal can lead to ear infections.
Given these safety concerns and the lack of scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness, it is advisable to avoid ear candling as a method of ear wax removal. Instead, individuals should consult a healthcare professional, such as an otolaryngologist or ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor, for safe and effective wax removal techniques.
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Effectiveness: Does it work?
Ear candling, also known as "ear coning," involves placing a hollow candle soaked in beeswax or paraffin inside the ear. The far end of the candle is lit, and the heat allegedly produces suction that draws out ear wax, debris, and bacteria from the ear canal. After the procedure, a brown waxy substance believed to be a mixture of ear wax, debris, and bacteria is left in the candle stub.
However, there is no scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of ear candling. No studies have confirmed the claims made about its benefits. One study found that there was no suction force created during the procedure, and the temperatures produced were too low to melt ear wax. Another study showed that instead of removing wax, ear candling deposited candle wax and ash into the ear canal.
Furthermore, ear candling can be dangerous and cause serious harm to the ear. There is a risk of burning the ear and face with hot wax and fire. The candle may also push the natural ear wax deeper into the ear canal, leading to potential hearing loss and discomfort. There have also been reports of punctured eardrums after the candling process.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned against using ear candles, stating that there is "no valid scientific evidence for any medical benefit from their use." The FDA also notes the high risk of burn injuries, middle ear damage, and the possibility of developing painful infections.
While ear candling may seem like an appealing DIY solution to ear wax buildup, it is not endorsed by healthcare professionals due to its ineffectiveness and potential dangers. It is recommended to seek advice from a hearing specialist or medical professional for safe and effective ear wax removal methods.
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Alternatives: What are other safe methods?
Ear candling is not a safe option for wax removal as it may result in serious injury. The FDA has not approved ear candles for any medical use and has issued warnings against their use. The safest way to remove earwax is to consult a doctor for a professional cleaning. Some safe techniques that doctors use to clean ears include:
- Little scoopers
- Vacuums
- Irrigation of the ear canal with water
There are also some safe at-home treatments for earwax removal that are safer than ear candling. These include:
- Over-the-counter ear drops that can soften and dislodge earwax.
- A few drops of water or hydrogen peroxide can be dripped into the ear canal and left for a few minutes. Then, turn onto your side to let the liquid and wax drain out.
- Oil can be used to soften earwax. For example, olive oil can be used to fill a dropper.
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Legitimacy: Is it approved by health authorities?
Ear candling is not approved by health authorities. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned against using ear candles, stating that there are high risks involved and "no valid scientific evidence for any medical benefit from their use." The FDA has also taken steps to stop the import of these candles. Health Canada has also determined that ear candles provide no health benefits and pose a risk of injury, especially to children.
In Europe, some ear candles bear the CE mark (93/42/EEC), which indicates that the device is designed and manufactured so as not to compromise patient safety. However, no independent testing is required for this certification, and it is often self-issued by the manufacturer. Selling or importing ear candles with medical claims is illegal in the United States and Canada.
Medical professionals, including otolaryngologists, audiologists, and primary care doctors, do not advocate for ear candling as a safe method for wax removal. They recommend alternative methods such as over-the-counter ear drops, mineral oil, or seeking the help of a medical professional who has the tools and expertise to safely remove ear wax.
While ear candling may be advertised as a holistic or complementary medicine, it is not endorsed by healthcare professionals. Researchers have found no evidence that ear candling is effective in treating any condition. On the contrary, it has been associated with various risks and complications, including burns, ear infections, and eardrum perforation.
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Frequently asked questions
Ear candling, also known as ear coning, is a technique that involves placing a hollow candle soaked in beeswax or paraffin inside the ear. The far end of the candle is lit, and the heat allegedly produces suction that is supposed to draw out the ear wax, debris and bacteria from inside the ear canal.
No, ear candling is not safe. The hot wax can cause burn injuries to the ear and face and damage the ear canal. The candle could also push the natural ear wax deeper into the ear canal. There is also a chance of developing a painful infection of the outer ear canal, called otitis externa, getting ash on the eardrum, or even perforating the eardrum.
There is no scientific evidence that ear candling is an effective treatment for any condition. In fact, it has been documented that candling does not actually remove ear wax, but rather deposits candle wax and ash into the canal.
Yes, there are safer and more effective alternatives to ear candling. Ears are self-cleaning, and most of the time, wax will work its way out gradually. To help this process, a few drops of mineral oil, DeBrox, sweet oil, etc. can be used to moisten the wax. If you have a stubborn earwax obstruction, it is recommended to seek advice from a hearing specialist who can suggest at-home solutions or clean out your ear in their office.
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