EAR CANDLES.

The origins of Ear Candles and there use are uncertain, but this ancient practice possibly originated in the Orient, Egypt, or the pre-Columbian Americas. Practitioners of candling (also called coning) use special candles made of linen or cotton soaked in wax or paraffin. The candles are hollow and about 10 inches long. Practitioners say that when a candle is placed in the ear and lit, a low-level vacuum is created, which sucks wax and other debris out of the ear canal.

Many claims are made about the effects of candling. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. In addition, there is not even plausible reasoning for how candling might work.

For example, proponents say that candling can cure the following conditions:

• Tinnitus
• Otitis media
• Sinus pressure and pain
• Meniere's disease

But each of these conditions occurs on the inner side of the eardrum, remote to and out of reach of candles. For other conditions closer to the site of candling—swimmer’s ear or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome—there is no evidence that it is helpful.

Many other health benefits associated with candling are vague or scientifically meaningless. Some examples are "strengthen the brain," "purify the mind," "stabilize emotions," "clear the eyes," "purify the blood," and "release blocked energy."

It does seem reasonable that candling may help remove earwax and clear up problems related to earwax build-up. However, according to one group of researchers, the negative pressure needed to pull sticky wax from the ear canal would have to be so powerful that it would rupture the eardrum during the process. After actually measuring the pressure during candling, the researchers found that, in fact, no negative pressure was created. In any case, there are much safer and easier ways to remove wax.

Safety Concerns

Many doctors have concerns about the safety of ear candling. Fourteen out of 144 ear, nose, and throat specialists that took part in a (1996) survey had seen patients who were harmed by ear candling. Of these patients, 13 had external burns, seven had ear canal obstruction from candle wax, and one had a perforated eardrum.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers the ear candle an unregulated medical device and has taken action to prevent the sale and distribution of ear candles in the United States. Despite these actions, ear candles are still widely available at health food stores and on the Internet.

Many practitioners of ear candling recommend that people see only those who have been properly trained to use the procedure. They discourage do-it-yourself candling and warn that it can lead to mishaps. However, many doctors believe that ear candling is ineffective and unsafe, no matter who does it.

EAR CANDLES