The other day, my roommate was complaining about her earwax problems. She was saying that she thought it was actually affecting her hearing. Another roommate suggested she look into ear candling, which according to Wikipedia, is "an alternative medicine practice claimed to improve general health and well-being by lighting one end of a hollow candle and placing the other end in the ear canal." The idea is that the the low flame of the candle wick makes a slow vacuum which softens and pulls the wax from the ear into the base of the candle. To me, that doesn't sound even remotely scientific, but I decided to look into it anyway...
...but then I discovered that there's really nothing to look into. I couldn't find a single study that proved ear candling worked -- only personal testaments and YouTube videos claiming it's the way to go. I talked to a few otolaryngologists who gave me some first hand accounts of the dangers of ear candling. If performed wrong, the wax can adhere to the eardrum and cause excruciating pain and endanger the hearing mechanism.
The problem with the "science" provided by ear candle believers is that they claim the brownish wax and white-ish powder that come out on the candle's stub are 90% from the ear. In fact, it is 100% from the candle, because the experiment has been performed outside the ear over and over again, and produced basically the same results:
If you're interested in getting your ears cleaned, go for it! Just avoid the ear candles. Either ask your ENT to suck the wax out with his/her trusty earwax sucker, OR ask them about an Oto Loop. You've all probably heard (and ignored) the warnings about Q-tips being bad for your ears, but Oto Loops get all the wax out without endangering your hearing or inner ear. Plus they come in cool colors.
...but then I discovered that there's really nothing to look into. I couldn't find a single study that proved ear candling worked -- only personal testaments and YouTube videos claiming it's the way to go. I talked to a few otolaryngologists who gave me some first hand accounts of the dangers of ear candling. If performed wrong, the wax can adhere to the eardrum and cause excruciating pain and endanger the hearing mechanism.
The problem with the "science" provided by ear candle believers is that they claim the brownish wax and white-ish powder that come out on the candle's stub are 90% from the ear. In fact, it is 100% from the candle, because the experiment has been performed outside the ear over and over again, and produced basically the same results:
If you're interested in getting your ears cleaned, go for it! Just avoid the ear candles. Either ask your ENT to suck the wax out with his/her trusty earwax sucker, OR ask them about an Oto Loop. You've all probably heard (and ignored) the warnings about Q-tips being bad for your ears, but Oto Loops get all the wax out without endangering your hearing or inner ear. Plus they come in cool colors.
What amazes me about people who swear this works is that you don't have to look long to see that it's bullshit. They're marketed as traditional medicine practiced by the Hopi tribe, and the Hopi tribe has released a statement saying it was never practiced by the Hopi and asked that their name stop being used to market them. The company that sells ear candles has ignored them. Oh, and their sale is banned in Canada.
http://www.nowtoronto.com/lifestyle/story.cfm?content=145396&archive=24,20,2005
Judith, you are doing much better this marking period already so good work! In one week, you already blogged as much as you did throughout the entire previous marking periods. I really enjoy your posts, particularly your topics. They always provide interesting and informative reading. You also normally tie in topics with real life experiences which is always very good! So keep up the good work! If you are looking to get an A make sure you are posting more than 1 blog and more than 3 comments each week. If you are looking for a challenge maybe search for more than 1 source for each post. Possibly conflicting sources so you could share your personal opinions? And keep asking questions to prompt discussions! Also, try to creatively tie in class material. Good luck!
Judith, you are doing much better this marking period already so good work! In one week, you already blogged as much as you did throughout the entire previous marking periods. I really enjoy your posts, particularly your topics. They always provide interesting and informative reading. You also normally tie in topics with real life experiences which is always very good! So keep up the good work! If you are looking to get an A make sure you are posting more than 1 blog and more than 3 comments each week. If you are looking for a challenge maybe search for more than 1 source for each post. Possibly conflicting sources so you could share your personal opinions? And keep asking questions to prompt discussions! Also, try to creatively tie in class material. Good luck!