Ear candling is a practice involving a hollow cone, typically made of cloth soaked in materials like beeswax or paraffin, with one end placed in the ear canal and the other end lit. Proponents of this method claim it is a natural way to draw out cerumen and other impurities from the ear. The dark, waxy material found inside the cone after the procedure is often presented as proof of its effectiveness. However, medical professionals and scientific studies offer a different explanation for this residue, clarifying that the practice is not only ineffective but also carries significant risks.
How Ear Candling Is Supposed to Work
The main theory proposed by those who use ear candles is that the burning flame creates a “chimney effect” or negative pressure vacuum that pulls earwax and debris out of the ear canal. Another hypothesis suggests the heat from the flame softens the earwax, allowing it to naturally migrate out of the ear over the following days. Scientific analysis consistently shows the mechanism is physically impossible. Studies measuring the pressure inside the ear canal during candling show no negative pressure or vacuum is created to pull out sticky cerumen. Furthermore, the ear canal is not a sealed system, which is necessary for a true vacuum to form. Medical examinations following candling have found no reduction in existing earwax; in fact, some studies have noted an increase due to candle wax being deposited into the ear.
What the Residue Really Is
The flaky, dark, brown, or sometimes yellowish substance found inside the candle stub after it burns is not extracted earwax. This substance is predominantly residue from the candle material itself. It is a mixture of the burnt cloth, paraffin or beeswax, and soot from the combustion process. The composition of this residue has been confirmed by simply burning an ear candle away from the ear, which produces the exact same substance. While the material may appear waxy, its texture and makeup are distinct from cerumen, which is naturally produced by glands in the outer third of the ear canal. The presence of this substance gives the false impression that earwax and “toxins” have been removed, leading users to believe the ineffective procedure was successful.
Risks of Ear Candling
Despite the lack of effectiveness, ear candling poses several physical dangers due to the presence of an open flame near the face and ear. The most common complications involve burns to the face, outer ear, ear canal, and eardrum. Hot, dripping candle wax is a risk, as it can fall into the ear canal and solidify, causing a blockage that may require surgical removal. The procedure also carries the risk of perforating the eardrum, which can lead to hearing loss and secondary ear infections. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings against using ear candles, stating they have not found any scientific evidence to support the claims of medical benefit and highlighting the potential for serious injuries.
Safe Ear Cleaning Methods
The ear canal is a self-cleaning system where cerumen naturally moves toward the outer opening, usually requiring no intervention. If a buildup of earwax causes symptoms like decreased hearing or a feeling of fullness, there are medically approved methods for safe removal. Over-the-counter softening agents can be used, such as a few drops of mineral oil, olive oil, or a solution of hydrogen peroxide. For more severe buildup, a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or audiologist, should be consulted. They can perform safe removal procedures like gentle irrigation with warm water, or manual removal using specialized tools under direct visualization (curettage or microsuction). It is important to avoid inserting objects like cotton swabs, which push the wax deeper into the ear canal, potentially causing impaction or damage to the eardrum.