What is Ear Candling?

Primarily used for wax buildup and related hearing problems, ear candling is also used for ear infections and sinus infections. Treatment involves placing the narrow end of a specially designed hollow candle at the entry of the ear canal, while the opposite end is lit.

Further detail on Ear Candling:

Ear candling, also called ear coning or thermal-auricular therapy, is a folk medicine practice said to assist the natural clearing of earwax (cerumen) and remove toxins from a person's ear by means of a hollow candle placed in the ear. It involves lighting one end of the hollow candle, and placing the other end in the ear canal. According to medical researchers, it is both dangerous and ineffective.

Criticism on Ear Candling:

# The Spokane Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic conducted a research study in 1996 which concluded that ear candling was ineffective in removing wax from the ear canal.
# According to Health Canada "Some promoters say it is an ancient treatment that can cure a number of medical problems. Don't listen: ear candling is dangerous, and has no proven medical benefits."
# The FDA issued an alert on 2007-10-10 identifying Ear Candles (a.k.a., Ear cones and Auricular candles) as a "Danger to Health"