What exactly is ear candling? have you tried it? does it work?

I saw it on a flyer for a massage parlor. I've never heard of it and was just curious. Thanks!...

SkepDoc 2.0	ear candling is yet another bogus altmed practice. They claim that it will suck wax out of your ear....sorry , doesn't happen. There have been lots of case reports of people suffering from perforated eardrums after a glob of molten wax lands on it. Useless and potentially dangerous. Don't waste your time or money. Use some olive oil in your ears to help get rid of excess ear wax, or see the doctor or nurse to have them irrigated if you have a really stubborn problem or hearing loss as a result of wax buildup.
MsBls	Ear candling consists of laying on your side while someone inserts a long, hollow wax candle in your ear and lights the end not in your ear. It is supposed to drain earwax from your ear. I have not tried this, but a friend of mine with a hippy mom had to do this weekly, swears it does not work. Same friend is advocate of alternative medicine, just not this one. Also time consuming.
Jono	I did it on a friend of mine after being taught how to do it by someone who does it regularly and somehow the wax from the candle dripped into the ear and we ended up in the emergency room...don't do it.
Penny C	It works for me. You need someone to help you. When I have trouble hearing it's usually because of an ear wax blockage. I've had syringing at the doctors but find the candles much more Gentle and can hear clearly afterwards. You can cut open what's left of the candle and see the wax that it draws out that didn't yet burn off. In my case there's always a lot. The idea with a paper plate is a good one.
bradhadair333	Well, since most ppl already have said WHAT they are etc..... I have used them multiple times and had success with them. Its best if you have someone else help you whether its a friend at home or at a salon. (although its probly cheaper to just buy a few candles on your own than going to someone who'll charge you for the candles and the service). Either way, be careful. You do it at your own risk..... Overall tho, i like them and think they do help. Good luck!
HELLO! My Name is Hugh Jorgan...	SCAM!!!!! Don't waste your money. It has been completely disproven.
A.Mercer	There are many people who say that this is not a healthy thing to do. Amazing Randi and others have pointed out the flaws in this and some of the dangers of doing it. (This has comments from some people about it.) http://www.randi.org/jr/02-09-2001.html (this one has a more indepth discussion of it close to the bottom of the page) http://www.randi.org/jr/02-02-2001.html (in fact, even the normal wiki page has some of the criticisms and dangers involved with this) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ear_candling#Criticism (here is another site that goes over this as well) http://www.healthwatcher.net/Quackerywatch/Ear-candling/index.html
gramof6	First cut a hole in a paper plate and push the candle half way through to prevent wax dripping or even a piece of paper will do.It worked for me.It pulled ear wax from my ears.Not every one has ear wax as bad as some.It would be great to go to the doctor but if you have no insurance it is really expensive other wise.It also depends on the type of candle you buy, always buy the better ones.
*~* Rubber Ducky *~*	It is a candle that was like a sheet of wax and then rolled onto itself, so it has tons of air pockets. The idea is to put it your ear, and light the other end. As it burns, the heat from the candle and the air pockets 'pull' your ear wax out. As for it working, there are several medical and science studies that say no it doesn't work. Then again there are several holistic studies that say it does. I personally don't think it works. I have tried it and personally Hydrogen Peroxide was far superior to ear candling. I have to agree with the medical studies.
Hope	I have done this and it worked for me. They put a candle (cone like, inside of it is hallow and that is what the wax is pulled up into) in your ear. You will lay on your side and be still and they will light the end of it. You will not get burned and it does not hurt. It will burn so far down and they will put it out. While it is burning it pulls the wax out of your ear. It really does help especially if you have alot of ear infections and it helped me hear a little better.