The complete guide
Buying Guide
What ear candling is, and what it is not
An ear candle is a hollow cone of unbleached muslin stiffened with beeswax. One end is tapered to rest at the opening of the ear, the other is lit. It burns for eight to ten minutes down to a printed silver mark, and then it goes into a glass of water.
People have used them for a long time, and the reason they keep using them is the experience: lying still, the warmth, the soft crackling, ten quiet minutes. That is what we sell them for.
What they do not do is remove ear wax. The residue you find inside a burnt cone looks convincing, and it is burnt candle wax and ash from the cone itself. If you want wax out of your ears, the ear washer kit rinses it out and a clinic will do it properly. We would rather tell you that than sell you a candle on a promise it cannot keep.
Doing it safely
There is an open flame beside your head, so the safety part is not optional.
- Never do this alone. Somebody else holds the candle, lights it, watches it and puts it out. This is the single most important line on this page.
- Use the protective disc. It catches drips and ash.
- Stop at the mark. The silver line is where the candle goes into the water.
- Have water beside you before you light anything, and tie long hair back.
- Stop immediately if you feel heat on your skin or any pain at all.
Do not use ear candles if you have grommets, a perforated eardrum, an ear infection, discharge, ear pain, an ear injury or hearing loss, or if you have had ear surgery. They are not for children. If your ears hurt or your hearing has changed, see a doctor or an audiologist rather than reaching for a candle.
Australian audiology services generally advise against ear candling. We think you should know that before you buy, and it is why every word above treats this as a relaxation ritual rather than a treatment.
Which pack
All three packs are the same candle. The only difference is how many are in the box.
- Personal Pack of 20 for one or two people trying it.
- Family Pack of 50 for a household that does this regularly.
- Bulk Pack of 100 for frequent use or a therapy room.
How a session goes
Set the room up first: somewhere comfortable to lie on your side, low light, the water, the scissors, the disc, the towel. Read the instructions through with whoever is helping you.
Lie on your side. Your helper puts the tapered end at the opening of the ear, not into the canal, threads the protective disc on, and lights the far end. It burns for eight to ten minutes. Trim ash as it goes. At the silver mark it is put out in the water and lifted away.
Most people say it is warm and calming. Some feel a light tingle. If anything feels hot or sharp, that is the point to stop.
Storing them
Cool, dry, out of direct sunlight, in their packaging. Kept like that they last a long time. Replace any candle that has cracked, discoloured, gone soft or brittle, or smells off.