You might have come across the term ear candling or ear wax coning a lot of times. According to some people, it is just cleaning of your ears and something that helps ease pain or discomfort in blocked ears. But, is it really safe? Well, the short answer to this is certainly a big no. Ear candling is not a safe process and it isn’t even a proven way to clean your ears. Instead, it can cause serious harm.
In this blog, we are going to talk about the facts related to ear candling, clear up the myths and show you what actually works for your ears health.
What is Ear Wax Coning (Ear Candling)?
Ear candling, also known as ear wax coning is a process in which a hollow candle made of wax and cloth is placed in your ear. The one end of the candle goes into your ear, and the other end is lit on fire. According to those who practice it, the heat from the ear cleaning candle flame has the ability to create a pull that takes out dirt and earwax. The tenure of this overall process is 10-30 minutes. The cone-shaped cloth candle used in this process is sometimes called an ear wax cone candle or an ear cleaning candle. You might come across a lot of videos related to ear wax coning online, but this doesn’t mean it is safe.
How Does Ear Candling Work? (Claims vs Reality)
There are endless amounts of claims associated with the working of ear candling. However, one needs to be aware of the reality. Let us know more about it below:
How Does Ear Candling Work? (Claims vs Reality)
There are endless amounts of claims associated with the working of ear candling. However, one needs to be aware of the reality. Let us know more about it below:
What People Claim:
- The overall process of candle cone ear wax removal functions with the creation of suction inside your ear canal.
- The ear wax removal candle has the ability to pull out dead skin, toxins and wax from your ear.
- It helps those who are suffering from blocked ears, headaches, and sinus pressure.
What Science Actually Says:
- According to many studies, it has been proved that no suction is created during this process.
- This process doesn’t remove earwax from the ear canal.
- By the end of the procedure, the dark, waxy residue left in the candle is not from your ear but the candle itself.
- There is no scientific evidence that this process takes out any toxins from your ears.
Truth About Ear Candles (Myth-Busting)
While getting to know about the ear candling process, you might have also heard about the various myths associated with it. Let us get to know about the ear candling truth and bust the various popular myths. These ear wax coning facts are backed by science.
- Myth: The ear cleaning candle helps create suction
Fact: There is no formation of any kind of vacuum. According to the tests, the ear cleaning candle doesn’t lead to the creation of suction inside the ear.
- Myth: The dark residue is earwax
Fact: The residue that is left in the ear wax cone candle is not the dirt from your ear. Instead, it is the burned cloth and wax from the candle itself.
- Myth: It is a safe since it’s a natural remedy
Fact: The process leads to serious harm to your ears. This includes blockages, eardrum damage, and burns. It has to be noted that major health organizations globally have warned people against it.
- Myth: It is highly recommended by doctors
Fact: No qualified doctor or any other ENT specialist would recommend the process of ear candling to any of their patients. It’s because this is not considered as a medical treatment.
Is Ear Wax Coning Safe?
No, ear candling is not safe. None of the scientific studies prove it as a beneficial procedure. When people ask “is ear candling safe?” The answer is always a “NO”. In this process, you are going to place an open flame right next to your ear. How can someone even consider this as a safer process? Even the health authorities like FDA and MHRA have issued certain warnings against this procedure.
Risks & Side Effects of Ear Candling
There are a lot of certain ear candling risks and they can be life threatening and serious at times:
- Burns: Since it has hot wax, and open flame, it can burn your ear, hair or face.
- Blocked ear canal: There are high chances that melted candle wax can drip inside your ear and this can make the blockage even worse.
- Eardrum damage: The heat and the dripping wax can damage or pierce your eardrum.
- Infection: The invasion of any kinds of foreign material in your ear can lead to an infection.
- Fire hazard: The candle flame can set fire to hair, pillows, or towels.
- False reassurance: Once this process is done, people think that their ears are clean. With the same viewpoint, they delay getting the right treatment.
There have been many cases in which some people had to get surgery after ear candling went wrong.
Are There Any Benefits of Ear Candling?
Some people claim there are ear candling benefits, such as:
Some people have known to claim that there are many ear candling benefits like:
- Clearing blocked or stuffy ears
- Relieving sinus pressure and headaches
- Helping with relaxation or stress
However, as of now, there is no scientific evidence of the same. Any feeling of relief shall most likely be because you rested quietly and laid still, and not from the ear candling.
What Do Doctors Say About Ear Candling?
None of the qualified ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctors would ever recommend going with the process of ear candling. Various health organizations have claimed that ear candles have no proven benefits and they are thus, dangerous.
According to the doctors, our ears have the ability to clean themselves on their own. Earwax usually moves out on its own over time. Just in case there is a real problem with your earwax buildup, you must reach out to an audiologist for proven and safe treatments. However, ear candling is not amongst these treatment options. It’s always recommended to talk to a qualified professional before trying any ear treatment.
Better Options for Earwax Removal
There are a lot of safer choices than ear candling if you are suffering from blocked ears. Some of the finest safe earwax removal tips recommended by doctors are mentioned below:
- Ear drops
Olive oil or sodium bicarbonate ear drops can help soften hard earwax. If you are intending to get earwax removal, you should use these ear drops before going to a professional for the treatment.
- Warm water irrigation
Your medical professional shall use warm water in order to take out the wax from your ear. This cerumen removal method is only effective if your wax is already soft and there is no damage to your eardrum.
- Professional ear suction (microsuction)
Microsuction has been prominent as the most effective and safest method for earwax removal. In this process, an audiologist or an ENT expert shall use a gentle ear suction device along with a microscope to look into the ear. This process is painless, clean and quick.
When should you see a doctor?
You should pay a visit to a professional if your ears feel blocked, your hearing ability has dropped, you have ear pain, or you feel a ringing in your ear. Make sure you are not delaying the process of safe earwax removal any more by relying on unsafe home remedies.
Ear Candling vs Medical Ear Cleaning
Ear Candling | Medical Ear Cleaning | |
Is it safe? | No, can burn or block your ear | Yes, done by a trained professional |
Does it work? | No scientific proof | Yes, proven to work |
Risk of harm? | High, burns, blockages, infection | Very low when done correctly |
Recommended by doctors? | No | Yes |
Cost | Cheap but dangerous | Higher but safe and effective |
Also read related articles:
Woke Up With Muffled Hearing in One Ear?
Conclusion
One might consider ear candling and ear wax coning as natural fixes, but it has to be noted that they are not at all safe. Also, they do not work. There is no scientific evidence that proves their effectiveness, usage and even the health agencies all across the globe have warned people against them. Going for the safe earwax removal methods if you are dealing with blocked or uncomfortable ears is a must. Just keep this in view- your ears deserve proper care and not an open flame.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, ear candling cannot remove earwax. According to the studies, the dark residue in the candle is from the candle itself and it has nothing to do with your ear. Thus, this is certainly not an effective earwax removal method.
Yes, ear suction is a safe process. It is also known as microsuction and is undertaken by a trained professional. This is certainly amongst the safe earwax removal methods. A lot of people have also claimed it to be quick and generally painless.
A lot of people have been inclined towards ear wax coning since it sounds gentle and natural. Some of them also go for ear cleaning candles since they see them a lot in online advertisements and health shops. But, being popular doesn’t mean that this is a safer process.
One of the quickest ways to dissolve ear wax at home is using the ear drops with sodium bicarbonate or olive oil. Continue using them as an ear drop for a few days. If you are still not getting favourable results, you should visit a professional for cerumen removal.
It is recommended that you use an ear wax removal candle anytime. Burning a candle near your ear can lead to burns or wax can drip into your ear canal. Thus, you should go with a medically approved method of earwax removal instead.
Ears are a self-cleaning part of the body. Thus, you should let them clean themselves on their own. However, if the earwax is too much, you should start using ear drops in order to soften it. You should visit a professional for ear suction. You should never use cotton buds inside your ear since they push wax deeper.
Dr. Jay Jindal
Consultant Audiologist
Dr Jay Jindal, Consultant Audiologist, has 20+ years NHS and private experience.
