Ear Health and Education

November’s Ear Tip

Candles belong in holders…not your ears

Ear Candling: Why It Is Not Recommended for Earwax Removal

Understanding the risks and choosing safer alternatives

Ear candling, sometimes called ear coning, is an alternative practice promoted as a method of removing excess earwax (cerumen). Despite claims that it can clean the ear canal and improve hearing, there is no reliable scientific evidence that ear candling effectively removes earwax.

Health Canada and professional ear, nose and throat organizations advise against its use because of the potential for injury.

What Is Ear Candling?

Ear candling involves placing the narrow end of a hollow, wax-coated cone at the opening of the ear canal while the opposite end is lit.

Supporters claim that heat from the burning candle creates a vacuum or suction effect, drawing earwax and impurities out of the ear.

However, research has demonstrated that ear candles do not generate sufficient suction to remove cerumen from the ear canal.

Why Does It Appear to Work?

After an ear candle has burned, a yellow or brown waxy substance may be visible inside the remaining cone.

This material is often presented as evidence that earwax has been removed.

In reality, the residue can be produced by the candle itself as its wax and other materials burn. Its presence does not demonstrate that cerumen has been extracted from the ear.

What Are the Risks?

Ear candling is not a harmless procedure. Potential complications include:

  • Burns: Hot wax, falling embers or direct contact with the flame can burn the ear and surrounding skin.
  • Ear canal obstruction: Melted candle wax can enter the ear canal, creating or worsening a blockage.
  • Ear canal or eardrum injury: The procedure can damage delicate ear structures, including the tympanic membrane.
  • Delayed medical assessment: Relying on ear candling may delay the identification and treatment of hearing loss, infection or other ear conditions.

Because the procedure has no demonstrated benefit for cerumen removal and carries avoidable risks, healthcare authorities recommend against its use.

Does All Earwax Need to Be Removed?

No.

Cerumen plays an important role in protecting the ear canal. It helps trap dust and debris, lubricates the skin and supports the ear’s natural cleaning process.

In most individuals, earwax gradually moves toward the outer ear and does not require intervention.

Removal may be appropriate when accumulated cerumen causes symptoms, obstructs the ear canal or prevents necessary examination or hearing-related care.

What Are Safer Alternatives?

Evidence-based options for managing problematic earwax may include:

  • Cerumen-softening preparations: When appropriate for the individual’s ear health and medical history.
  • Gentle ear irrigation: Performed when clinically indicated and when there are no contraindications.
  • Manual cerumen removal: Using appropriate instruments and techniques by a trained healthcare professional.

Not every method is suitable for every person. Individuals with a history of eardrum perforation, ear surgery, infection or other ear conditions may require a different approach.

An ear assessment helps determine whether removal is necessary and which method is appropriate.

When Should You Seek Professional Assessment?

Consider having your ears examined if you experience:

  • Reduced or muffled hearing
  • A persistent sensation of ear fullness or blockage
  • Recurring problems with excessive earwax
  • Difficulty with hearing aid function that may be related to cerumen

Ear pain, drainage, bleeding, sudden hearing loss or significant dizziness require prompt medical assessment rather than assuming earwax is responsible.

Gentle Ear Care: RN Services – Kamloops

Gentle Ear Care provides professional mobile nursing services for ear assessments, cerumen management and ear health education in the comfort of your home.

Each appointment begins with an assessment to determine whether treatment is indicated and appropriate.

Healthy ears deserve evidence-based care.

Candles belong in holders…not your ears!

Contact:

gentleearcare.kamloops@outlook.com

gentleearcarernservicekamloops.ca

 

References

  1. Health Canada. Ear candling. Government of Canada.
    https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/medical-procedures/ear-candling.html
  2. HealthLink BC. Earwax.
    https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthwise/earwax
  3. Schwartz SR, Magit AE, Rosenfeld RM, et al. (2017). Clinical Practice Guideline (Update): Earwax (Cerumen Impaction). Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, 156(1_suppl), S1–S29.
    https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599816671491

October's Ear Tip

Step Away From the Q-Tip!

We’ve probably all heard the old saying:

“Nothing smaller than your elbow should go in your ear.”

And yes, I understand why people use cotton swabs. Sometimes your ear is itchy, you find just
the right spot, and that little “scratching my brain” feeling is incredibly satisfying.
Unfortunately, as good as it may feel, cotton swabs can cause problems.
Rather than removing earwax, they can push it farther down the ear canal, where it can
become compacted. They can also irritate or injure the delicate skin of the ear canal and, when
inserted too deeply, potentially damage the eardrum.
Earwax isn’t dirt. It actually has an important job. It helps protect and lubricate the ear canal
while trapping dust and debris. In most people, earwax gradually makes its way toward the
opening of the ear naturally.
So remember:
If it fits in your ear, that doesn’t mean it belongs in your ear.

Clean the outside of your ears, but leave the ear canal alone.
And when temptation strikes, remember the elbow rule.💙💚 

SOURCES
• American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. Clinical Practice Guideline: Earwax (Cerumen
Impaction) (Update).
• Mayo Clinic. Earwax blockage: Symptoms & causes (2025).

September's Ear Tip

Preparing for your appointment

Softening hard or dry ear wax before your appointment can often make removal easier and much more comfortable. If you have been advised that it is safe to use ear drops, mineral oil or an over-the-counter olive-oil ear preparation can help soften and lubricate the wax beforehand.

Place a few drops into the ear while lying with the affected ear facing upward, and remain in that position for approximately 5 to 10 minutes. Afterwards, gently wipe away any excess oil from your outer ear. Olive-oil preparations designed for ears are also available as sprays, which can be particularly convenient if you have difficulty lying on your side.

Important safety advice: Never insert cotton swabs, cotton wool, or other foreign objects into the ear canal. Not every ear is suitable for drops or irrigation. If you have a known or suspected eardrum perforation, ear tubes, previous ear surgery, active drainage, significant pain, or infection concerns, seek professional advice before putting anything into your ear.

At Gentle Ear Care RN Services, every appointment begins with an ear assessment so the safest and most appropriate approach can be determined for your ears. 💙💚

A little preparation can help make gentle ear care even gentler.

 For further reading

Rotherham NHS — How to use olive oil drops before an ear-care appointment⁠

Nottingham University Hospitals — Adult Audiology: olive-oil drops and spray instructions