Ear Candling: Does It Work, Is It Safe, and What Should You Do Instead? (UK Guide)

If you’re dealing with blocked ears, muffled hearing, tinnitus (ringing), or that uncomfortable “full” sensation, it’s understandable to look for fast solutions—especially when you keep seeing ear candling videos online. I’m Hamed Qatiri, founder and ear wax removal specialist at Ear Wax Solution, and I wrote this guide to answer the real questions people have about ear candling: what it is, whether it works, what the risks are, and what safer options exist.

What is ear candling?

Ear candling (also called ear coning or thermal-auricular therapy) involves placing a hollow, cone-shaped candle at the opening of the ear and lighting the other end. The common claim is that heat creates a “vacuum” that draws earwax and impurities out.

In practice, ear candling is marketed for:

• Earwax removal (cerumen removal)

• “Detox”

• Sinus pressure

• Tinnitus

• Dizziness/vertigo

• Stress relief

However, these claims are not supported by credible medical evidence

Does ear candling work for earwax removal?

No. The best available evidence shows ear candling does not remove earwax and does not create meaningful suction.

Key evidence:

• A clinical study in The Laryngoscope found ear candles did not produce negative pressure, did not remove cerumen, and in some cases deposited candle wax into the ear canal; ENT specialists also reported injuries linked to use. PubMed

• A review in Canadian Family Physician concluded there’s no evidence ear candling treats any condition and it may do more harm than good. PMC

• Mayo Clinic states ear candling is not recommended, doesn’t work, and can burn or damage the ear. Mayo Clinic

• The NHS explicitly notes there is no evidence ear candles remove earwax. nhs.uk

“But I saw wax in the candle after!”

That residue is typically melted candle wax and soot—not proof that wax was pulled from your ear. The Laryngoscope study specifically documented candle wax deposition in some cases.

Is ear candling safe?

Ear candling carries avoidable risks—especially because it involves an open flame near the face and ear.

Reported and recognised risks include:

• Burns (ear, face, scalp, hair)

• Hot wax dripping into the ear canal

• Candle wax blocking the ear canal (making symptoms worse)

• Perforated eardrum (ruptured tympanic membrane)

• Temporary hearing loss

• Fire risk

Regulatory and clinical bodies have issued strong warnings:

• Health Canada states ear candling has no proven medical benefits and can cause serious injuries (including burns, blockage, and punctured eardrum).

• The FDA has acted against ear candles (including import measures) due to safety concerns.

• Mayo Clinic advises against it for safety and effectiveness reasons.

Who should never try ear candling?

From a safety standpoint, I recommend nobody uses ear candles—but the risk is especially high if you have (or might have):

• Ear pain, discharge, bleeding, or significant tenderness (may indicate infection or injury)

• Suspected perforated eardrum, grommets, or prior ear surgery

• Recurrent ear infections or otitis externa (inflamed ear canal)

• Children (smaller anatomy + higher injury risk)

If you have pain or discharge, get assessed rather than assuming it’s “just wax.”

What to do if you already tried ear candling

If you’ve used ear candling and now have new or worsening symptoms, don’t try to “fix it” with more home methods.

Seek urgent medical assessment if you have:

• Severe ear pain

• Bleeding

• Sudden hearing loss

• Dizziness/vertigo with nausea

• Persistent discharge

• Facial weakness (rare, but urgent)

If symptoms are mild (e.g., blocked sensation without pain), you may still need an ear examination to check for:

• Wax pushed deeper

• Candle wax deposits

• Canal burns

• Eardrum injury

Earwax build-up: symptoms that are commonly mistaken for “needing a candle”

Earwax (cerumen) is normal and protective. It often migrates out naturally, but build-up can cause:

• Muffled hearing

• A blocked/full feeling

• Tinnitus

• Dizziness/vertigo

• Earache

Importantly: pain, discharge, bleeding are not classic “simple wax” symptoms and should be checked.

Safer alternatives to ear candling (what I recommend instead)

1) Evidence-based home care (when appropriate)

The NHS recommends olive oil or almond oil drops (if you’re not allergic), used consistently for several days, to help wax soften and come out naturally. Do not use drops if you may have a perforated eardrum.

Also avoid:

• Cotton buds / Q-tips (tend to push wax deeper)

• Hairpins, keys, “ear scoops”

2) Professional removal (the safest route if you’re blocked)

Medical guidelines recognise cerumenolytics (wax softeners), irrigation, and manual removal as valid options, chosen based on your ear history and what’s seen on examination.

In many cases, microsuction is a preferred approach because it allows direct visualisation and controlled removal (particularly useful when irrigation is unsuitable). ENT UK provides patient guidance on microsuction and typical preparation (e.g., softening drops beforehand in selected cases).

Ear Candling vs Microsuction (why we don’t offer ear candling at Ear Wax Solution)

At Ear Wax Solution, my priority is straightforward: safe, evidence-based ear care.

Ear candling:

• Does not reliably remove wax

• Can add foreign wax to the ear canal

• Risks burns and eardrum injury

Microsuction (when clinically appropriate):

• Lets us see the wax and the ear canal

• Removes wax in a controlled way

• Supports safer decision-making if the problem isn’t wax (e.g., inflammation, infection signs)

FAQ: Ear candling questions I hear all the time

Can ear candling help tinnitus?

If tinnitus is caused by wax blockage, removing wax can help. But ear candling itself is not an evidence-based wax removal method.

Can ear candling help sinus pressure?

There’s no credible mechanism or evidence that a candle at the ear can treat sinus infection/pressure, and regulators warn against the practice overall.

Is ear candling safe if done “by a professional”?

The core risks (open flame, hot wax, canal burns, wax deposits, potential eardrum injury) remain even when instructions are followed.

How do I know if it’s wax or an infection?

Wax commonly causes muffled hearing and blockage sensation. Pain, discharge, bleeding, fever, or significant tenderness suggest you need assessment rather than home treatment.

What’s the safest way to remove wax?

If you’re significantly blocked or symptomatic, professional assessment and appropriate removal (often microsuction, irrigation, or manual removal depending on your ear) is the safest route.

Next steps (practical guidance)

If you’re considering ear candling because your ears feel blocked, my recommendation is:

1. Do not candle.

2. If mild and no pain/discharge: consider evidence-based softening (per NHS guidance) for a short period.

3. If symptoms persist, or if you have pain/discharge, or you’ve had prior ear surgery/perforation: book a proper ear examination and professional wax removal.

References

1.U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2017). Don't Get Burned: Stay Away From Ear Candles. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/dont-get-burned-stay-away-ear-candles

2.Seely, D. R., Quigley, S. M., & Langman, A. W. (1996). Ear candles--efficacy and safety. The Laryngoscope, 106(10), 1226–1229. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1097/00005537-199610000-00010

3.American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. (2018). Ear Candling: Is it Safe?. ENT Health. https://www.enthealth.org/be_ent_smart/ear-candling/

4. Seely DR, Quigley SM, Langman AW. Ear candles—efficacy and safety. Laryngoscope. 1996.

5. Rafferty J, Tsikoudas A, Davis B. Ear candling: Should general practitioners recommend it? Can Fam Physician. 2007.

6. Ernst E. Ear candles: a triumph of ignorance over science. J Laryngol Otol. 2004.

7. NHS. Earwax build-up. 

8. Mayo Clinic. Earwax blockage—Diagnosis & treatment (ear candling section).

9. Health Canada. Ear candling. 

10. FDA import enforcement information relating to ear candles.