The Dangers of Ear Candling: Why Health Canada Does Not Recommend It

by Jennifer Abbott | Jun 27, 2023 | Client Resources, Earwax

Taking care of our ears isn’t just about avoiding harmful practices – it’s about making proactive choices for our ear health, too.

Ear candling, otherwise known as thermal-auricular therapy, is an age-old practice that’s seen a resurgence in popularity.

It involves placing a hollow, cone-shaped candle into your ear canal and lighting it at the other end. Supporters argue that this procedure can help with earwax removal, treating ear infections, enhancing hearing, and promoting relaxation.

Unveiling the Risks: Why Ear Candling Is Not Recommended

However, the reality is ear candling can be more harmful than beneficial. Here’s why:

Fire and Burns:

Any procedure that involves open flames near your face is risky, and ear candling is no exception. It’s too easy for your hair or clothing to accidentally catch fire, or for hot wax to drip into your ear, resulting in painful burns.

Ear Canal Blockages: Ear candles can sometimes leave behind bits of wax or debris, creating blockages in the ear canal. These obstructions can lead to discomfort, hearing loss, tinnitus (that’s a persistent ringing in your ears), and heightened risk of ear infections.
Damaged Eardrums: The act of inserting an ear candle into your ear canal carries the risk of puncturing or tearing your eardrum. This injury could lead to hearing loss, imbalance, or persistent ear issues that need medical intervention.

Questionable Earwax Removal:

Despite claims to the contrary, ear candling is not an effective way to remove earwax. In fact, studies show that the negative pressure created during ear candling can deposit even more wax into your ear canal.

Health Canada's Standpoint:

As your health advocates, Health Canada firmly discourages the use of ear candles. They do not recognize any therapeutic benefits from ear candling, and are well aware of the potential risks it carries. It’s crucial to remember that there are no scientific studies supporting the effectiveness of ear candling for any health condition.

Choosing the Safe Path for Ear Care

Taking care of our ears isn’t just about avoiding harmful practices – it’s about making proactive choices for our ear health, too. At Hear at Home, we understand the importance of professional, safe, and effective ear care.

That’s why we’re proud to offer expert earwax removal services for you.

Before we embark on any earwax removal procedure, we take a personalized, comprehensive approach. Our hearing specialists start by taking a thorough case history, which allows us to understand your unique ear health needs better.

Next, we use a video otoscope for a detailed visual inspection of your ear, enabling us to assess the degree of any blockage and determine the best method of earwax removal.

As certified and experienced professionals, we at Hear at Home are skilled in two methods of cerumen (earwax) removal: irrigation and manual removal.

Irrigation involves gently flushing your ear with warm water to dislodge the earwax. Manual removal, on the other hand, is carried out using special instruments under a microscope.

This allows us to carefully and effectively remove earwax without causing discomfort.

The choice between these two methods depends on your individual needs and the degree of your earwax buildup. Ear health is a journey, and we’d be honoured to accompany you on yours.

Take the first step toward better hearing and overall well-being today. Reach out to us at Hear at Home to schedule your professional earwax removal service. You can call us at (778) 340-1101.

Remember, your ears deserve the best possible care – and we’re here to provide it.

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Jennifer Abbott

Jennifer Abbott brings over 25 years of experience in business. She has worked in multiple industries, including insurance brokerage, aviation, and health. Her career journey enabled her to acquire impeccable skills to help people find solutions in any situation. Jennifer is well travelled. She has lived and worked in Dubai for award-winning Emirates Airline. Jennifer has enjoyed working in a multicultural environment. Her offshore work empowered her to learn about various cultures from over 100 different nationalities. Upon her return home, Jennifer pursued her studies as a Hearing Aid Practitioner. While working in a hearing clinic, she became aware of some people’s challenges getting to their appointment. She realized that those people were not getting the proper hearing aid help they needed, which compromised their hearing. People’s struggles inspired her to establish the first unique 100% mobile hearing clinic in the lower mainland. As the founder of Hear at Home Mobile Hearing Clinic, Jennifer’s mission is to improve her client’s quality of life at any age. She has in-depth experience with hearing testing fitting, recommending hearing aids and working with older populations suffering from cognitive decline and Dementia.

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				Greg Viger			

							Jennifer & the Hear At Home staff are amazing. The kindness, warmth, sincerity and genuine concern for their clients and family is like I have never witnessed in a business. It is kind of hard to believe until you experience it. Read the other reviews and there is a consistent pattern in the accolades. They go above and beyond to do right for their clients and make it as easy as possible to handle what can sometimes be hard situations.

I completely trust them with my parents and can not recommend them enough to care for your loved ones.
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 03/09/2021

				Brian Gibbard			

							In recent years I realized that I had sustained a hearing loss. A profoundly hearing impaired friend suggested I contact Jennifer Abbott at Hear at Home. Jennifer was a delight to deal with. She came to my home , tested me, and gave me a number of options. At no time did I feel she was trying to "sell" me something; rather she was giving me information and leaving decisions up to me. She was patient and and able to answer all my questions. I did purchase hearing aids from Hear at Home and they have worked as she described. Her follow up care was excellent and she was prompt and  very careful to follow covid protocols. In sum my experience with Jennifer and Hear at Home exceeded my expectations and I would refer friends to her without hesitation.
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 27/01/2022

				Kim Hall			

							Jennifer is caring, knowledgeable, professional and comes to your loved ones home to help them get custom hearing aides and provide services to help them hear and communicate better. She clearly explained to me and my Father that the part of his brain that listens and interprets words was becoming impaired since his ears could not hear the words properly. He, and his friends and family members, were so much happier when we could have a proper conversation with him instead of him just nodding and smiling and pretending to hear us. I would highly recommend Hear at Home to all seniors, especially ones who have trouble getting out of their home.
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 27/10/2019

				Rose Walter			

							Hello Jennifer

Since last Wednesday, I have been putting my hearing aids in after coming out of the shower every single morning. You adjusted it and I have no more problem to understand people more than max. three, me included. Today we were six around the table and sometimes my husband, who was sitting beside me, talked to the host while I was chatting with the hostess and one of her friends to the same time. That never happened the last 3 or 4 years ever!

While driving in a pick up truck, very loud vehicle, I was able to talk to my husband without having to yell at each other! Also the drops are working like a charm. On Thursday, I needed it in both ears once. Today the first time again just later in the afternoon into my right ear. That’s it. It must have a kind of a healing property in that bottle… 

Garry asked me if I stay in Squamish just for the cleaning – my reply was, never again! 

Thank you for helping me so much and I will see you in a few months for ear cleaning.  

Warmest Regards
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 27/10/2022

				Carlos Taylhardat			

							Professional, dedicated and compassionate care are but a few of the traits that you can count from Hear at Home.
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				Elizabeth Mah			

							Jennifer and her team are personable, heart-centred and lovely. I would highly recommend!
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 27/09/2022

				P L			

							I went online looking for a hearing aid service that could go to my 95 year old mother’s extended care home. I came across Hear at Home, and they were fantastic!  They made the whole process very easy, provided an excellent assessment and plan Including follow up, and recommended the perfect hearing aid solution for my mother’s needs. The pricing was very competitive given the special circumstances.  What I appreciated most, was that they made my mother feel very comfortable throughout the process.  Highly recommended!  Paul Livingston
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 27/01/2022

				Harry Haley			

							I live in Richmond and over the 4 years of using hearing aids I extremely happy with the prompt service that I have received from Hear at Home.  I email Hear at Home when I have a question or need help adjusting my hearing aids and I receive replies back the same day answering my questions.  Further, I am able to make appointments at convenient locations and times to assist me.  In addition, Hear at Home taught me how to use the many features on the hearing aids so I can better utilize them so I can enjoy my activities much more.  I will buy my next set of hearing aids from Hear at Home.
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 04/10/2017

				Blessing Malambane Mokoena			

							I made a deposit of $1000 into my trading account and with the aid of Mrs Robert Stella I was able to earn $ 12,400 in just one week. Don't miss out to contact her now that the stock market is moving and highly profitable

Email: robertstlla385@gmail.com

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 27/03/2023

				Wedad Keshavji			

							Jennifer recently fitted my mum, who is 93, with new Hearing Aids. My mum resides in a Long Term Care Facility and Jennifer was able to to use her mobile equipment to get the perfect results.  Jennifer is kind, gentle, respectful and worked in a positive manner with my mum to achieve the results that have greatly benefited my mum.  Thanks Jennifer.
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 27/10/2021