Over the years we have seen many of our patients try various techniques to self-remove earwax from their ear canals. We have had patients use tweezers or well-advertised but dangerous spirals, which can be easily purchased on Amazon for a few pounds. However, the go-to method, which we most often find used, is ear candling. You may have seen many adverts and reviews on these products advising on their benefits in successfully and safely removing earwax; however, here at earwaxspecialist.co.uk, we have found many inherent risks associated with them.
As a professional independent audiology practice that specialises in safe and effective earwax removal using microsuction, we have concluded that this method is not safe in the removal of earwax. It is both ineffective and, more importantly, quite dangerous. Below we will discuss the reasons for this.
What Is Ear Candling?
Ear candling is a traditional method that requires the insertion of a hollow cone-shaped paper tube into your ear canal, which is then lit on the end that is furthest away from the ear canal. The general consensus is that the heat will melt the wax in the ear candle and create a vacuum or negative pressure, which will, in turn, bring the earwax out of the ear canal and into the ear candle itself. However, this method is not regulated by any medical body for this purpose, nor is there any scientific evidence to suggest that it is at all effective in helping with the symptoms of a blocked ear.
In fact, several studies that have been conducted by published journals have concluded that after scientifically setting up the procedure, there was no measured vacuum or suction effect created by the burning of these ear candles; in most cases, there was actually a worsening of symptoms. The melted wax from the candle caused blockages by depositing itself in the ear canal.
The Dangers Of Ear Candling
1. Wax Blockages
Instead of removing earwax, candles often cause earwax to either melt further into the ear canal due to the heat, causing more comprehensive ear blockages deeper in the ear canal. Furthermore, the melting of the wax residue from the candle often causes further complications. This foreign compound is often very difficult to remove from the ear canal as it settles in the ear, often requiring further ENT intervention.
If you’re facing wax-related blockages in the West Midlands, clinics offering earwax removal in Coventry provide safe and professional alternatives to such risky methods.
2. Burn Hazards
Lighting an ear candle near the face has often led to burns to the skin of the ear, the canal itself, or worse the eardrum. This has been identified within our clinics as an inherent risk.
3. Perforations
Inserting an ear candle inside the ear canal with no deeper understanding of depth perception and proximity to the eardrum can lead to perforations or tears of the eardrum. We can recall one case when a patient came into our clinic in excruciating pain after an ear candling procedure. When we examined the ear canal, we found evidence of a significant perforation and damage to the delicate tissues inside it.
4. Ear Infections
The introduction of a non-sterilised product inside the ear canal can introduce bacteria, leading to serious infections of the ear canal.
We’ve had patients from across the region, including those seeking ear syringing in Wolverhampton, who experienced complications after trying at-home remedies like ear candling.
Guidance From Health Authorities
ENT UK
A reputable organisation providing advice to the ear, nose, and throat community, including consultants, has advised against using ear candling as an appropriate method for earwax removal.
NHS
The NHS website strongly advises against using ear candling, citing a lack of evidence in its effectiveness and calling into question its safety as a method for earwax removal.
FDA
The FDA, the American organisation responsible for validating the permissibility of any medical treatment, has issued warnings regarding possible injuries caused by this method. They have gone as far as issuing a ban on the advertising of ear candling as a product to relieve earwax blockages.
The following views by both these official and voluntary bodies all conclude that ear candling can cause more problems than it actually solves.
What Is A Safe Alternative?
The safest and most effective way of resolving earwax blockages is to perform a clinical procedure called microsuction. We even offer same-day earwax removal appointments to help patients find immediate relief.
What Is Microsuction?
Microsuction involves using a small suction cannula with video endoscopy to remove earwax from the ear canal safely and painlessly. A very gentle negative vacuum pressure along with ceruminolytic drops is used to extract ear wax without causing any discomfort to the patient.
What Are The Benefits Of Microsuction?
- It is a safe and effective method; the procedure lasts no more than 5-10 mins.
- Significantly reduces the chance of infection, unlike other methods like water irrigation.
- Immediate relief of symptoms post-procedure.
Safely be used for patients with a history of perforations or operations of the ear canal or middle ear.
Who Should You Go To For Earwax Removal?
The best place for earwax removal is to go to professional audiology clinics with years of experience in performing the procedure. A great way to review this is to look for social proof in terms of google reviews, trustpilot reviews, and patient video testimonials.
Our years of practicing microsuction at earwaxspecialist.co.uk and thousands of 5-star Google reviews show how we can help you.
Our services are professional, affordable, and friendly. All treatments are carried out by qualified audiologists with years of experience and thousands of procedures under their belt.
We also offer expert-led microsuction earwax removal training courses for healthcare professionals seeking CPD-approved certification.
Conclusion
Ear candles may be well advertised as a holistic therapeutic way of taking care of earwax; however, it is apparent through medical literature and in-clinic experiences that there is no scientific evidence of the effectiveness of ear candling for earwax blockages. It is a practice worth avoiding.
