Ear candling

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James Mally, N.D., ear candling a patient in an experiment testing the effectiveness of the practice. [1]

Ear candling, also called ear coning or thermal-auricular therapy, is a folk medicine practice intended to assist the natural clearing of earwax (cerumen) and "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. Some proponents claim that the supposedly resulting vacuum can clean out the ear, but mainstream opinion rejects this idea as there is no evidence to support it. Many clients still feel this practice is beneficial to their auricular and overall health.

1 Procedure
2 Theory
3 Ear candling as a pseudoscience
4 Dangers
5 Legal status
6 Origin
7 References
8 External links

[edit] Procedure

One end of a cylinder or cone of waxed cloth is lit, and the other placed into the subject's ear. Usually the subject is lying on one side with the treated ear uppermost and the candle vertical, perhaps stuck through a paper plate or aluminum pie tin to protect against any hot wax or ash falling down the side. The flame is extinguished approximately two inches from the body, sometimes using a dish of water.

An ear candling session can last up to 45 minutes, during which time a series of 1 or 2 ear candles may be burned for each ear. The experience is generally described as being unusual, but pleasant and relaxing. However, there is also the rare danger of burns or damage to the ear from hot wax or ash when candles without filters are used.

The Colon Therapists Network website says "You may hear some crackling and popping" and "you may feel some heat during the ear candling session." It cautions that ear candling should not be practiced on people who have ear tubes (grommets), perforated ear drums, or artificial ear drums, and says ear candlers should use an otoscope to examine their client's ears before and after the session.

[edit] Theory

Material that appears after ear candling, allegedly earwax and "toxins", is actually residue from the candle itself.

Ear candling is claimed to stimulate the peripheral lymph system, as well as working on the acupressure points and energy system around the ear. The radiation from the flame heats the air around the client but not the candle itself, making them feel warm and comfortable. It is claimed that the "ki energy" from the fire is directed to the ear, affecting the acupressure points therein.^[1]

This explanation is pseudoscientific, and has no clear meaning in regular medical terminology. Peer-reviewed research would be needed to establish any verifiable benefit to the process.

[edit] Ear candling as a pseudoscience

Ear candling is generally classified as pseudoscience by mainstream medicine, as no scientific evidence supports it. Skeptics point out that there is no mechanism by which the candle could conceivably draw out anything from the ear, and that a sufficient vacuum to do so could not possibly be generated.^[2] Nor could the candle create a sufficiently high temperature to "melt" the earwax as is sometimes claimed. Researchers at the Spokane Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic have concluded that ear candling is ineffective at creating a vacuum and removing impurities from the ear, and may result in injuries.^[2]

Some practitioners of ear candling show accumulations of "wax" inside used candles as evidence that they are effective. However, one European manufacturer, Biosun, points out that these are in fact products of combustion of the candle, which form inside the candle even when it is not placed inside the ear.

A list of claims, from cleansing the ear canal and curing infections to clearing the eyes and purifying the blood, can be found on the Quackwatch website.^[3]

Skeptics argue its claimed benefits are not supported by scientific evidence.^[4] Ernst, in a review of the literature, finds that ear candling has no real effect on earwax removal, and poses a danger of ear injuries. He concludes that ear candling is "a triumph of ignorance over science".^[5]

[edit] Dangers

Placing a candle inside the ear can potentially lead to burns, infection, obstruction of the ear canal and perforation of the eardrum. One particular concern is wax dripping into the ear, which can cause internal burning and blockage.^[6] Health Canada cites the same article, which reported 21 cases of damage done from ear candling in survey of 122 ear specialists. Thirteen people were burned by ear candles, and another seven had their ears blocked with wax from ear candles. One person received a punctured ear drum.^[7] If the hot wax lands on the eardrum, it can cause great pain and possible hearing damage.^[8]Seely, Quigley and Langman reported that, in a survey of 122 ENT physicians, 21 ear injuries were reported due to ear candling.^[2]

Some ear candles are designed with a filter or plug inside to help prevent this, such as those made by Biosun, and others are designed to be self-extinguishing. However, most ear candles are not designed this way, leaving sensitive membranes in the ears exposed to hot wax and ash that can do permanent damage. Users should take advantage of common sense and make an informed choice.

Ear candles can be dangerous when used by the inexperienced, even when used properly, and if someone is concerned about the dangers they should seek treatment from a practitioner of ear candling.^{[citation needed]} This is because they have been taught and supervised in several treatments, they will know how to avoid possible dangers and will know any contraindications^{[citation needed]}. Preferably, clients should look for practitioners who are members of a professional body who are insured, as they will have undertaken a training course that is approved by a regulatory body^{[citation needed]}. For example, the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT) in the UK, and their affiliated Therapy Insurance Service (TIS), will support and promote a fully-qualified ear candler.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Legal status

In Europe, some ear candles are regulated as medical devices, tested for safety and bear the CE mark (93/42/EEC). [2] The CE mark is mostly self-issued by the manufacturer, supposedly assuring conformance to a standard.^[9]

While ear candles are widely available in the U.S. and Canada, selling or importing them with medical claims is illegal[3].

[edit] Origin

Although manufacturers of ear candles often refer to them as "Hopi" ear candles, there is no such treatment within traditional Hopi healing practices.

Vanessa Charles, public relations officer for the Hopi Tribal Council, has stated that ear candling "is not and has never been a practice conducted by the Hopi tribe or the Hopi people".^[10]