Everybody loves a quick fix, especially when the solution is also a DIY fix. Got a leaky sink? You can learn about how to fix that from a YouTube video. It may take you a little bit longer than it would take a plumber, but there’s no replacement for the gratification you feel, right?

At least, until your sink begins leaking again. Because, as it so happens, in some cases a DIY fix is no replacement for the well-sharpened skills of a professional.

It isn’t always easy to acknowledge that this is the case. Ear candling or earwax candling is a perfect example of a DIY fix that individuals keep going back to. It doesn’t really sound very pleasing, does it? So, just what is ear candling, and how is it probably not the best thing ever? Well, let’s dig into that.

Ear candling – what is it?

Have you ever had a plugged-ear kind of feeling? Sometimes, your ear will fill with mucus when you’re ill. In other instances, it might happen because you have too much earwax in your ears (and surplus earwax can have any number of causes). When this happens, you may experience some discomfort. Your hearing may even temporarily go. It’s no fun!

Some individuals, because of this, think that ear candling is just the inexpensive and novel solution they need. The concept is to place the non-burning end of a special, hollow candle in your ear. Somehow, the mix of heat and the hollow design of the candle alters the air pressure within your ear canal, drawing the earwax or mucus out.

Healthcare professionals absolutely don’t recommend this approach. If you’re searching for proof that ear candling actually works and draws out wax, you won’t uncover any. Essentially, most hearing and healthcare professionals will emphatically advise against ever using this practice. Ear candling also doesn’t help with sinus pressure.

Just listen to the FDA! (What is the FDA saying about ear candling? Essentially, don’t do it!)

What are the disadvantages of ear candling?

Ear candling may feel safe, at first. It’s not like it’s a giant flame. And you’re using “specialized” equipment. And there are lots of people online who claim that it’s perfectly safe. So, how can ear candling be dangerous?

Ear candling can, unfortunately, be really hazardous and there’s no way to get around that! What are the side effects of ear candling? Here are just a few of the (potentially painful) ways that ear candling can affect your health:

• Your face could be severely burned: Look, whenever you’re positioning candles that close to your face, there’s a strong possibility you’ll get a burn. Everyone has accidents once in a while. It’s all too easy for candle wax to trickle into your eyes or for your hair to catch on fire or for your face to become severely burned.
• You can cause severe burns to your ear: The fire and the melting ear candle wax are quite hot. Your ear is extremely sensitive and considerable burning can occur if the flame or the hot wax gets someplace it shouldn’t.
• Your Eardrum might accidentally get pierced: There’s a risk that comes with pushing anything in your ears! You may accidentally puncture your eardrum, creating considerable discomfort and harm to your hearing. If this happens it’s very likely that you will need to get professional help.
• You can leave candle wax behind in your ear: The candle wax can get into your ears even if you don’t get burned. This leftover wax can cause acute discomfort and, eventually, affect your hearing.
• You can push that earwax even further into your ear: In much the same way that sticking a Q-tip in your ear can smoosh the earwax into an ever-more-dense blockage, so too can sticking a specialized candle into your ear. Your earwax problem can be worsened by earwax candling, in other words! Other complications, from hearing loss to ear infections can also be the result.

So, do hearing healthcare professionals advocate ear candling? Not at all! Ultimately, earwax candling isn’t only ineffective, it’s downright dangerous.

So how should you eliminate earwax?

Ear wax is typically rather healthy. It’s helpful for your ears in normal quantities. Problems begin when there’s an overabundance of earwax or when it won’t properly drain. So… if you can’t utilize a burning candle to remove earwax, what should you do?

Seek advice from a hearing specialist if you have a persistent earwax obstruction. Normally, they will recommend that you try some at-home solutions, such as a saline wash, to loosen the wax allowing it to drip out by itself. But they might also clean out your ear during your visit.

We can remove the wax safely with specialty tools and training.

It’s best to steer clear of things like ear candles and cotton swabs. Nothing smaller than your finger should be put into your ears unless directed by your hearing specialist or doctor.

Give your ears some relief

If accumulated earwax is causing you a bit of discomfort or distress, you should make an appointment with us. We will be able to help you clean any stubborn earwax out of your ears and get you back to feeling normal.

Call Today to Set Up an Appointment

References
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/health-fraud-scams/ear-candling-ineffective-and-risky