Earwax build-up is one of the main reasons people visit an ENT specialist, and to try to prevent it, many people turn to various methods for cleaning earwax, such as cotton buds, which we covered in another post. Today we’ll look at one of the more controversial methods — ear candles — and give you 3 reasons not to use them.
Ear Candles
Also known as ear cones or ear candling, this involves using a cone-shaped candle, usually made of beeswax, to remove earwax.
Ear cones are also used as an alternative therapy for treating other issues, such as ringing in the ears or tinnitus, and headaches.
It’s worth stressing that, as we’ll explain below, none of the benefits attributed to ear candles have been scientifically proven — whereas there is plenty of research pointing to the dangers of ear candling.
How to Use an Ear Candle
The candle is placed vertically in the ear canal and lit at the top. In theory, a chimney effect heats the earwax, drawing it up into the candle; once the candle burns out and cools, the earwax is supposedly trapped inside and can be removed.
The ear candle stays lit for around 10 minutes throughout the process.
Do Ear Candles Actually Work?
How ear cones are supposed to work is based on two theories. The first is the “chimney effect” theory, which holds that lighting the candle placed in the ear creates a vacuum effect that draws the wax up into the candle.
The second theory is that the lit candle heats the earwax, causing it to melt and come out of the ear, either caught by the candle or over the following days.
A study carried out in 2017 shows that this suction effect doesn’t actually occur, and that there was no reduction in the wax deposited in the ear canal either.
In some cases in the study, not only did earwax fail to decrease, but an increase in the wax deposited was actually observed after using the candle in the ear.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Ear Candles
Ear Candles Can Cause Eardrum Burns
In a survey carried out by members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology among 122 patients known to have used ear candles to remove earwax, 21 patients had experienced problems caused by ear candling, such as burns or blocked ear canals.
There’s No Evidence They Remove Earwax
As already explained above, studies haven’t been able to demonstrate that ear candles can remove earwax.
Ear Candles Can Increase Wax Build-up
As shown in the study, wax from the candle itself can come loose and end up deposited inside the ear, actually making the problem worse.
General Recommendations on Ear Candling
Following the scientific evidence, and in line with various international health organisations, we recommend that ear candles never be used, under any circumstances.
If you think you might have earwax build-up, get in touch with us and we’ll find a professional near you who can carry out a complete ear check-up.
