Ear coning…what is it and why have it done? Ear candling, also called ear coning, is a folk medicine practice intended to remove earwax (cerumen) and “toxins” from a person’s ear by means of a hollow candle placed in the ear. It involves placing one end of a hollow candle in the ear canal and lighting it.
Ear candling is used primarily for cleaning the ears and to promote a healthy atmosphere in the ears, sinus cavities and throat. There are, however, several other benefits. The process can regulate pressure, assist with post nasal drip, sinusitis, catarrh, migraines, some forms of hearing loss, and restoration of equilibrium.
Treatment – One end of a cylinder or cone of waxed cloth is placed into the subject’s ear, and the other end lighted. 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. A typical 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. One may hear some crackling and popping, or feel some heat during the ear candling session.
Warnings – Ear candling should not be done to people who have ear tubes, perforated ear drums, or artificial ear drums.
Benefits – The hot air is claimed to melt earwax and create a vacuum that pulls out toxins from the inner ear and the sinuses. At the end of the treatment the subject can be shown the accumulated ash and melted wax inside the candle, which are presented as wax and even fungus drawn out of the ear. Smoke circulating in the ear is sometimes also claimed to have physically beneficial or even mind-clearing effects. Proponents claim significant improvements in their hearing, inner ear pain relief and a reduction in tinnitus symptoms after several ear candling sessions.