What is Ear Candling?

Ear candling is an alternative health method people use at home to clean their ears. This method is, unfortunately, gaining popularity in recent years, but not for the right reasons. Ear candling may sound like a great, easier and less invasive way to clean out your ears, but this is far from the truth. Ear candling can be dangerous and can cause serious damage to the ear, ear canal and eardrum. So what is ear candling really and why is it not advised?

How ear candling works

To perform ear candling, one end of the candle is lit and the other is placed into the ear canal. People who believe in ear candling claim the flames help pull excess wax from the ears. Unfortunately, there is no research to actually support any of these claims. And even more, unfortunately, the process of ear candling can be dangerous.

Ear candling does not clean out the ears, in fact, it can leave behind more than it was intended to take. Not to mention it can cause some serious damage to the ear. If removed improperly, the candle being pulled out of the ear can scratch the inside of your ear canal causing damage, which could lead to infection. It can also puncture the eardrum if not inserted and removed properly. Any puncture or rupturing of the eardrum is a danger to not only the eardrum itself, but to the middle and inner parts of the ear too.

How do you safely remove earwax?

While it may be hard to believe, a normal amount of earwax is a good thing! Your body creates earwax to help push dirt and debris out of your ear canal, keeping your ears healthy and your hearing sound. Using a dry or slightly damp cloth to wipe the outer portion of your ear is enough to keep your ears clean. If you experience a blockage of earwax, rather than handling it by yourself and causing more damage, contact a hearing health professional to remove the impaction safely.

Keeping your ears healthy is important to your auditory system and your overall health! Just make sure to consult a hearing care provider before turning to ear candling or any other unverified over-the-counter treatment.