Ear candling is an alternative practice that involves placing a long, hollow, cone-shaped candle into the ear canal and lighting the exposed end. Proponents of the technique suggest the flame creates a slight vacuum or “chimney effect” that is supposed to draw earwax, impurities, and debris out of the ear. The practice is sometimes referred to as ear coning or thermal auricular therapy and is claimed to help with various conditions, including sinus issues, headaches, and hearing problems.
Preparing for the Ear Candling Session
Gathering the correct supplies and setting up a safe environment are important steps. The primary item needed is a set of specialized ear candles. You will also need a non-flammable protective barrier, such as a foil plate, a paper plate with a central hole, or a thick towel, to shield the face, neck, and hair from any falling ash or dripping wax.
A second person, often called a helper or practitioner, is strongly recommended, as self-application is difficult and significantly increases the risk of injury. The recipient should lie comfortably on their side, with the ear to be treated facing upward, and the helper should be positioned to easily access the candle and the recipient’s head. Finally, a small bowl or glass of water must be kept within immediate reach to safely and quickly extinguish the candle once the session is complete.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Candling Process
The recipient should lie flat on their side, ensuring the ear facing up is easily accessible to the helper. The protective material, such as the towel or plate, should be carefully placed around the ear to cover the surrounding skin and hair. This barrier is intended to catch any burning embers or hot wax that may drop during the procedure.
The narrow end of the hollow candle is then gently inserted just into the opening of the ear canal, using a slight twisting motion to achieve a seal that is not too deep or tight. The candle should be held at a slight angle, usually near-vertical, to maintain this seal and ensure the flame is positioned safely away from the face. The helper must maintain a steady grip on the candle for the entire duration of the burn.
Once the candle is correctly positioned and secured, the helper lights the wider, top end of the candle. As the candle burns, the helper should monitor the flame and the ash, trimming the burnt wick or ash into the protective plate or barrier as necessary to prevent large pieces from breaking off. The typical burn time for one ear is usually around 10 to 15 minutes, or until the flame reaches a marked safety line on the candle or is approximately three to four inches from the recipient’s ear.
The helper must then carefully remove the candle from the ear while it is still lit, keeping it vertical to avoid any internal spillage. The candle’s burning end must be immediately submerged into the bowl of water to fully extinguish the flame and prevent the risk of fire. The process is then usually repeated on the other ear for a balanced session.
Evaluating the Practice: Safety Hazards and Medical Advice
Medical professionals strongly advise against ear candling due to the absence of scientific support and the significant risk of injury. Hazards include external burns to the face, outer ear, and hair caused by the open flame or dripping hot wax.
A more serious internal risk is the potential for hot candle wax to drip down and solidify inside the ear canal, creating a blockage that can worsen existing earwax impaction. There are also documented cases where the candle’s insertion or the heat has led to a perforated eardrum, a painful injury that can result in temporary or permanent hearing loss. The American Academy of Otolaryngology has specifically reported that ear candling can cause serious damage to the ear canal and eardrum.
Studies show that the dark, waxy residue often found inside the cone after a session, which is frequently claimed to be earwax and impurities, is actually a combination of burned candle wax and fabric combustion byproducts. Furthermore, experiments designed to test the purported vacuum effect have demonstrated that no negative pressure is actually created within the ear canal during the burning process.
Health organizations, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, have issued warnings to consumers, stating that ear candles are not approved for any medical use and are associated with a risk of serious injury. The regulatory status of these devices is complicated, but the FDA considers them to be medical devices, requiring manufacturers to prove they are safe and effective for any claims made. The lack of scientific evidence for efficacy, combined with the documented reports of burns and eardrum perforation, leads to the medical consensus that the practice should be avoided.