Ear Coning

Ear candling, also called ear coning or thermal-auricular therapy, is a pseudoscientific alternative medicine practice claiming to improve general health and well-being by lighting one end of a hollow candle and placing the other end in the ear canal. 

Ear wax accumulation is one of the most common otologic conditions seen in primary care; removing ear wax is the most common ears, nose, and throat procedure carried out in the community. With the increasing use of and interest in complementary medicine in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, it is not surprising that ear candling has developed such a following.

Ear candling involves placing a hollow candle (made from a fabric tube soaked in beeswax) in the external auditory canal. The candle is then lit and burned for about 15 minutes. After the procedure is finished, a brown waxy substance, believed by ear candling practitioners to be a mixture of ear wax, debris, and bacteria, is left in the candle stub.

Ear candling can be performed by beauticians, alternative therapists, or by patients using kits at home. It is used mainly to remove ear wax, though it has also been used to try to relieve sinus pain, cure ear infections, help relieve tinnitus and vertigo, and even strengthen the brain! Patients considering such alternative therapies might want to get advice from their GPs first.

What To Expect During An Ear Candling Session:

Your therapist will instruct you to lie on your Side with your body using a straight alignment. They will then massage a special oil containing garlic and natural herbs into the ear. The therapist will gently insert a hollow linen candle into the ear canal, lighting the opposite end. We use only the highest quality beeswax candles, typically nine to twelve inches long. The candle creates a vacuum that draws built-up earwax and fungus into the bottom part of the candle. After extinguishing the candle, the therapist will cut open the remnant and show you the contents. Most people cannot believe the remaining contents extracted from the ear canal. If you have a hearing loss, you may feel a little heat during your session. Many people have reported an improvement in their hearing after just one session. The entire process takes 30 to 40 minutes. Ear candling can be repeated every 48 hours, and healthy ear maintenance with 3 to 4 yearly visits.