Ear Candles: Effective or Dangerous?

Ear candles might strike many people as odd, but they are an ancient tool used in naturopathic and homeopathic medicine to extract excess wax and toxins from the ears. Yet, many audiologists and hearing professionals question whether they are ineffective or even dangerous to use. Let’s take a look at the operation of these devices then consider if they are able to do what they intend to do and also if they are dangerous to your hearing and ear health.

What are Ear Candles?

Though it may come as a surprise to many, ear candles are exactly what they sound like: candles your place into your ears! These “candles” are actually coated paper cones that are narrower on one end than the other. The person who is having ear candling done is to lay on her side with one ear facing upward. An assistant or homeopathic medical practitioner places the hole on the narrow end of the candle into the outer ear and then lights the other end on fire! The intention is to use to fire to create a gentle suction into the ear canal, drawing excess wax, toxins, and unwanted substance out of the ears. The warm air drawing out of the ear also subtly melts the earwax in the ear, moving it around and making it easier to draw upward. Of course, the candles are blown out before they get close to the head. In fact, they are often blown out before they are even near to the ear, due to the substances that may come to fill the cones. Although some people who use ear candles may not witness much of an effect, others will find a yellow or dark brown substance inside the candles, what appears to be toxic waxy buildup.

Are Ear Candles Effective?

Although some naturopathic and homeopathic medical practitioners advocate for the use of ear candles, audiologists and hearing specialists tend to question their efficacy. Some say that the substance filling the cones is not earwax at all but rather the melted coating on the ear candles themselves. Yet, those who believe that the candles are effective at removing earwax from the ears wonder if they are “effective” at making the ears healthier. Earwax is an essential part of the functioning of the ears in several different ways. Earwax, technically called cerumen, keeps out debris and other harmful substances from the ears, including some types of bacteria. In addition, the smell of the earwax itself is said to keep away some types of insects. Finally, earwax is a natural moisturizer in the ear canal, and moisture is a fine balancing act in the ears. Some fluid is necessary for the functioning of the cochlea and the vestibular system, which is responsible for balance. Yet, an excess of fluid in the ear canal can be harmful, as well, even causing a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. For all these reasons, earwax is necessary to the proper functioning of the ears, and removing too much of it can be detrimental to the ears rather than helpful. In this way, ear candles may not be helpful to the ears by removing earwax through their warm suctioning effect.

Are Ear Candles Dangerous?

In addition to the possibility that ear candles are ineffective, they may also be dangerous. Of course, if they are forced too far into the ear canal, they can be damaging to the eardrums or other sensitive features of the inner ear. In addition, the fire at the top of the candle can cause ash or other debris to fall into the ears through the center of the candles. Perhaps the greatest danger is that, even with careful and proper use of the candles, they can move earwax around in the ear, either extracting too much of it or allowing it to move to inappropriate regions of the inner ear. For these reasons, audiologists and licensed hearing health professionals recommend against using ear candles.

Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services

If you feel that you have too much waxy buildup or toxicity in the ears, seek out the assistance of a trained professional at Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services to diagnose your situation. Indeed, it may be necessary to extract the wax from the ear, but other remedies may be more appropriate to your condition. Contact us today to learn more!