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If you’re struggling with blocked ears and excess ear wax, ear candling and ear wax candles are NOT the solution. You may have seen videos online of people using ear wax candles to clear their ears; you might even be considering trying ear candling in Melbourne. But as hearing specialists, we strongly advise against the use of this unproven ear cleaning technique. As an alternative, you should have a hearing professional remove the ear wax for you.
Ear wax candles are long, cone-shaped hollow candles that are typically made from beeswax and fabric. The pointed end of the candle is placed in your ear while the other end is lit with a flame. Many believe that ear candling “sucks out” or “melts” ear wax, cleaning out the ear passage.
However, ear candling has not only been proven to be ineffective, but it is also quite dangerous. At best it is pointless and ineffective, and at worst, it can seriously injure you. In fact, a1996 study found that ear candling did not remove a single piece of ear wax. That’s why you should avoid ear candling in Melbourne or anywhere else that it’s offered and seek out medically backed alternatives to clear your ears.
1. Ear wax candles can cause burns
Wherever there is a flame, there is a risk of getting burnt, and ear candles are no exception. While you may have experienced accidental dripping of hot wax on your arm and a feeling of slight discomfort, the skin on the face, ears and neck is much more sensitive. Painful burns are not uncommon when using ear candles. Even when you use a plate or protective covering, the hot wax can still drip onto your skin or into the ear canal itself!
The combination of a narrow candle inside your ear and hot dripping wax also poses a significant risk of perforating or rupturing your eardrum. As well as being incredibly painful, a perforated eardrum can increase the risk of infection and even lead to hearing loss.
2. Ear wax candles can push ear wax further into your ear canal
If you go to a “practitioner” for ear candling in Melbourne, they might tell you that ear wax candles “suck” the wax out of your ears. This is a myth – in actual fact, there’s no suction at all. In reality, placing an object like a candle into your ear can push ear wax down the ear canal, compacting the wax and making it even more difficult to remove.
3. Ear wax candles can puncture your eardrum
Perhaps one of the most concerning reasons ear candles are not safe is because they can puncture your eardrum. If the candle is placed too deep or hot wax gets into the ear canal, you can damage the eardrum and risk hearing loss.
As mentioned above, punctured, ruptured, or perforated eardrums can result in extreme discomfort, hearing loss, and other complications.
Have you ever heard the advice “You should never put anything in your ear smaller than your elbow?” Well, it’s true! Any “home remedy” that advocates sticking something in your ear should not be followed. And you certainly shouldn’t pay for a “professional” service advertising ear candling in Melbourne.
The safest and most effective way to remove ear wax is through micro suction. This involves the use of a fine suction device that is inserted into your ear canal. Think of it like a tiny vacuum cleaner for your ears! A hearing specialist uses a specialised magnifying glass to view inside the ear and the micro suction device to extract the ear wax.
If you’re looking for a safe and proven alternative to ear candling in Melbourne, book your ear wax removal with the specialists at earLAB. With micro suction ear cleaning in Melbourne, we can help you clear your ears safely and effectively.
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