What is Ear Candling? Should You Practice It?

Lit candles are nice for setting a romantic mood, creating a pleasant aroma in the air, or even as a guiding light during a power outage. Candle wax is not appropriate for pulling out earwax or curing a sinus infection through a dangerous and ineffective method known as ear candling. 

Ear Candling Explained

It is uncertain as to when exactly this practice started. There have been some records of it that originated from Hopi Indians, who engaged in the tradition as part of their spiritual healing. The routine involves positioning the tapered end of a 10-inch hollow candle inside a person’s ear and then burning the other end. Those who practice this believe the flame produces a suction that will extract earwax from the inner ear.

People who practice ear candling believe that pathways inside the head are all connected, therefore draining the canal of earwax will leave a person with a clean head. This is false! Those who practice this technique also believe that sinus pain and pressure will be relieved, it can treat tinnitus, swimmer’s ear and Meniere’s disease. There are NO scientific studies that back these claims. 

Why You Should NOT Practice Ear Candling

Healthcare professionals have strongly spoken out against ear candling. Here are some of those reasons:

• You can sustain injuries to the inner and outer ear. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had issued a Consumer Health Update for ear candles. They alert consumers about the fact that ear candles can lead to severe injuries, even if you follow the manufacturers’ guidelines. Some injuries that may be sustained include burns to the face, ear canal, eardrums and middle ear, ear injuries from dripping wax, ears becoming obstructed with candle wax and puncturing the eardrum.   
• A normal amount of earwax is considered healthy. Cerumen (earwax) is used as a natural barrier that protects the body from bacteria and dirt. It’s a natural lubricant for the ear canals. Insects do not like the smell of it, so it’s a natural bug repellent. Normally, your body will create enough cerumen that helps to maintain healthy ears, while naturally dislodging excess earwax. 
• It is not scientifically approved. The clinical deputy director of the FDA’s Division of Ophthalmic, Neurological and Ear, Nose and Throat Devices, Eric Mann, M.D., Ph. D. stated that the FDA did not find any credible scientific evidence for the medical benefits of ear candling. Charles W. Beatty, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic, concluded that their research showed ear candling is not effective at extracting earwax. It can actually push earwax deeper inside the ear canal. The debris that stays inside the cones when the treatment is finished is a mix of burned candle wax and fabric, NOT the earwax from your ears.      

   
In Conclusion
​
Instead of attempting to use candles for earwax removal, it’s better to use them to set the mood or get rid of the stale smell in the air. If your ears feel full and you can’t hear, seek treatment from a medical professional. If you get treatment from your healthcare provider, but continue to struggle with hearing, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. Hearing aids or an assistive listening device may help with your hearing problems.

Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs and re-fittings. If you need a hearing aid repair, we ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.    ​

Contact Us