by Neil Bauman, Ph.D.
A man asked:
What is your opinion regarding ear candling? Do you consider it to be safe or not?
The plain truth is that ear candling is not effective. Proponents claim it can cure conditions such as hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, Meniere’s disease and a host of other conditions.
A number of years ago, I investigated ear candling. In the course of my research, I couldn’t find any proven good that it does. As a result, I don’t recommend anyone wasting their money on ear candling.
As to its safety, you are literally playing with fire–and when you play with fire you can get burned as a result. Don’t kid yourself, it does happen.
Audiologist Heather Shenk has written an excellent article on ear candling called “Ear Candling: A Fool Proof Method, or Proof of Foolish Methods?” Her article gives the history of ear candling from ancient times to the present, its supposed benefits and what really happens when you ear candle. Read this article before either your wallet or your ears get burned.
Her article is at http://www.audiologyonline.com/articles/arc_disp.asp?article_id=1501.
