Ear candling is an alternative practice involving a hollow, cone-shaped candle, usually made from a fabric tube coated in beeswax or paraffin, placed into the ear canal and lit at the exposed end. Proponents claim this method draws out excess earwax and impurities for ear cleansing. However, medical science does not support the claims of effectiveness or safety, and health authorities warn about its potential to cause harm.
The Claimed Vacuum Effect and Scientific Findings
The theory behind ear candling suggests that the heat from the lit end of the candle creates a vacuum, or “chimney effect,” which supposedly sucks earwax and debris out of the ear canal. Scientific studies have consistently shown that ear candling does not produce any measurable negative pressure capable of drawing out earwax. Researchers have demonstrated that the pressure inside the ear canal during candling remains essentially the same as the surrounding air pressure.
The substance found inside the remaining candle stub, which users often mistake for removed earwax, is actually a byproduct of the burning candle itself. This residue is composed primarily of burnt wax, soot, and fabric materials from the candle. Analysis of the residue shows it contains hydrocarbons found in candle wax, not the specific compounds present in cerumen, or natural earwax. Furthermore, the same waxy, dark residue appears even when the candle is burned completely outside of a person’s ear. In a limited clinical trial, researchers found that ear candling not only failed to remove existing earwax but actually deposited candle wax into the ear canal.
Hazards Associated with Ear Candling
Medical professionals advise against ear candling because of the physical risks it presents. The presence of an open flame near the face and head creates an immediate danger of burns to the external ear, face, hair, and neck. The heat can also cause internal injuries, including burns to the delicate ear canal lining and the eardrum.
A major concern is the risk of hot candle wax dripping down and solidifying inside the ear canal. This dripping wax can cause a blockage, known as impaction, which may require a medical procedure to remove and can cause temporary hearing loss. In some cases, the heat or molten wax can cause a perforation or puncture of the eardrum, leading to pain, infection, and potential permanent hearing damage.
Reports from specialists confirm treating patients with complications directly related to ear candling, including burns and eardrum perforations. These injuries can occur even when the procedure is performed according to manufacturer instructions. Beyond physical injury, the practice may delay a person from seeking proper medical attention for underlying conditions, such as an ear infection or significant earwax buildup.
Recommended Alternatives for Earwax Removal
For most individuals, earwax does not need to be actively removed because the ear is naturally self-cleaning, with jaw motion gradually moving wax out of the canal. When earwax buildup, or impaction, causes symptoms like hearing loss, pain, or a feeling of fullness, safer methods are recommended.
At-Home Softening
Over-the-counter softening drops, known as ceruminolytics, can be used at home to help break down the wax. These drops often contain mineral oil, hydrogen peroxide, or carbamide peroxide, which are placed into the ear for a short period to soften the wax.
Professional Removal
If at-home methods are insufficient, a healthcare professional can perform a safe removal procedure. One common method is professional irrigation or syringing, where a doctor gently flushes the ear canal with warm water or a saline solution to wash out the softened wax. For more stubborn blockages or in patients with eardrum issues, a specialist like an audiologist or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor can perform manual removal. This is done using a small, specialized tool called a curet, or with a technique called microsuction, which uses a gentle suction device to remove the wax while the ear canal is viewed through a microscope. It is important to note that nothing smaller than an elbow should ever be placed inside the ear canal, as this can push wax deeper and cause damage.