Duration of treatment with ear candles

After lighting the ear candle its burning time is about 7 to 15 minutes. In addition, there is the preparation of the treatment, in which the treated person is stored and the ear candle is inserted. Also a rest period of about 10 minutes after the treatment of each ear should be observed. Since both ears are usually treated, twice as long time must be expected for the entire treatment, so that usually about one hour is needed.

Effect of ear candles

A medical effect when using ear candles is not proven by studies. By lighting the ear candle and sealing the external auditory canal, the air pressure first creates an overpressure, which later changes into a negative pressure when the heated air rises (like a chimney effect). This transfers stimuli to the eardrum, which can be perceived as a massage of the eardrum.

Vibrations are created which are also transmitted to the inner ear behind the eardrum, which contains the hearing system and the organ of equilibrium, which is thus better supplied with blood. Due to the existing connections between the ear, nose, paranasal sinuses and throat, the use of ear candles should also have positive effects here. Furthermore, the heat and the changing pressure conditions stimulate the blood and lymph flow.

The supposed effects on hearing problems, ear pain, tinnitus and colds are controversial and ear specialists advise against the use of ear candles. Also the cleansing effect of ear candles is rather unlikely, because the generated negative pressure is not sufficient to suck in the earwax. However, there may be an effect on the psyche of the patient, because the treatment with an ear candle is often perceived as relaxing and in combination with the fragrances used, it promotes stress reduction. The pressure equalization also has a stress-relieving and relaxing effect, which is why ear candles can be effective for nervousness, sleep disorders and hyperactivity.