General Question

callaghan's avatar

Ive tried everything to pop my ears at home and nothing is working....should i just go get them candled and see if that works?

Asked by callaghan (2points) July 28th, 2010

my left ear just WILL NOT POP!

Observing members: 0 Composing members: 0

12 Answers

jaytkay's avatar

No

“A survey of 122 otolaryngologists identified 21 ear injuries resulting from ear candle use. Ear candles have no benefit in the management of cerumen and may result in serious injury.” – source

“ear candling is dangerous, and has no proven medical benefits” – source

“As an otolaryngologist with 15 years’ experience, I have had more than one occasion on which a victim of ear candling has presented to my office with excruciating symptoms caused by melted wax adhering to the eardrum. This often necessitates minor surgery and puts the patient’s hearing at risk. In addition to debunking the efficacy of ear candling, you should mention the inherent danger to hearing.—C. Christopher Smith, MD, FACS, Dover, New Hampshire” – source

cazzie's avatar

Candling is a hoax. Don’t do it. Go see an ENT doc.

Afos22's avatar

Hold you nose, close your mouth, and either blow out or suck in.

MrItty's avatar

“Candled”? What on earth is that?

If your ears are plugged and you can’t fix them on your own, you need to go to a doctor. You could have a really huge ear wax buildup, or you might even have an infection, aggravated by whatever else you’ve already tried. Go to your doctor. Go. Now!

jaytkay's avatar

I had a problem with ear wax making me deaf in one ear. My doctor & his assistant showed me how to clean it out with warm water and a syringe.

Now I do it at home with a kit like this from the drug store:
http://www.monticellodrug.com/images/products/otix.jpg

Austinlad's avatar

Possibly good advice from @jaytkay, but you should probably consult a doctor before “trying this at home.”

marinelife's avatar

Did you take sudafed? Take something that will dreain your eustachian tubes.

hearkat's avatar

Decongestants and/or antihistamines, or the Val Salva maneuver (hold your nose and blow gently) may bring relief if the problem is Eustachian tube dysfunction that is causing pressure and possibly fluid buildup behind the eardrum.

Ear wax removal drops and kits can help soften the wax and flush it out if the problem is wax or debris in your ear canal.

There are other causes of a sensation of full, clogged or clocked ears. The only way to know what is wrong and what treatment is appropriate is to have your ears examined by an experienced, licensed medical professional.

hrcmatt's avatar

ear candling doesn’t really do anything..

I’m actually having the same problem with my ears. A nurse told me just to keep taking allergy medicine with a decongestant.. hasn’t done anything yet.

MrItty's avatar

@hrcmatt tell the Nurse “Thank you”, but that you’d really like to talk to the doctor.

sliceswiththings's avatar

You can get them irrigated at the doctor. Strange sensation I love it, but usually effective.

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