Ear coning, also known as ear candling or auricular candling, is a practice that involves inserting a beeswax or paraffin candle-like device into the ear canal in an attempt to extract earwax and other impurities. It is said to have originated in ancient Tibet and been practiced in China, Egypt, India, and pre-Columbian America.
To perform the ear coning procedure, the patient lies on his side with a collecting plate above his ear. The candle is inserted into the ear canal and then lit. After the candle finishes burning, the practitioner uses a cotton swab to remove visible ear wax and apply a special “ear oil” mixture. Most practitioners will then show the patient the residue left over from the procedure, claiming it is excess earwax, dirt, dead skin, toxins, or residue left from previous prescription drug use.
Proponents of ear coning say the practice is a safe and simple home remedy that can help with a variety of ailments. For example, ear coning has been said to relieve sinus pressure, improve hearing, cure swimmer’s ear, stop earaches, and reduce TMJ pain and stiffness. The practice has also been said to reduce stress, stabilize emotions, purify the mind, and strengthen the brain. To maintain maximum health benefits from this form of alternative medicine, practitioners say it is best to perform the ear coning procedure two or three times per year.
However, many medical experts say ear coning is not as safe as practitioners claim. There have been numerous reports of ear canal obstruction with candle wax, external burns, and perforated eardrums occurring as the result of ear coning. Hearing loss is also a possibility when the procedure is done by an inexperienced practitioner.
Because of the risks associated with ear coning, ear candles are illegal in Canada. In the United States, it is illegal to sell ear candles without prior FDA approval. However, there are many websites that still advertise ear candles for sale as well as short courses in the ear coning procedure.
Contrary to popular belief, there is really no need for concern about the dangers of ear wax. In the majority of cases, ear wax and accumulated dirt will gradually move along the ear canal towards the outside of the ear. Ear coning, cleaning your ears with cotton swabs, or performing other outside intervention is unnecessary. However, if the ear wax does become compacted, it can be removed by a physician using specialized medical instruments.
