Ear candles neither safe nor effective

Before you use ear candles, please consider reading this research on them. In particular I have yet to find any scientifically supported studies (whether formal or informal) to back up the use of ear candles. In discussions with over 1000 professionals, a number of them have done experiments where the candle was placed either in a vial or even in a teddy bear’s ear, and the “crud” the candle is supposed to have removed is the same both in a vial or teddy bear and in a person’s ear. Further, as this research as well as reports from others have indicated, improper candling can result in MOLTEN WAX on your EARDRUM.

Seely DR, Quigley SM, Langman AW., Ear candles–efficacy and safety. Laryngoscope. 1996 Oct;106(10):1226-9.

Ear candles are a popular and inexpensive alternative health treatment advocated for cerumen removal. A hollow candle is burned with one end in the ear canal with the intent of creating negative pressure and drawing cerumen from the ear. If effective, significant savings could result from the use of ear candles. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of this alternative method for cerumen management. Tympanometric measurements in an
ear canal model demonstrated that ear candles do not produce negative pressure. A limited clinical trial (eight ears) showed no removal of cerumen from the external auditory canal. Candle wax was actually deposited in some.
A survey of 122 otolaryngologists identified 21 ear injuries resulting from ear candle use. Ear candles have no benefit in the management of cerumen and may result in serious injury.