It may be a surprise to many that roughly 20% of all ear infections happen to adults. The common notion is that ear infections are something that usually impact kids. Ear infections are certainly more common in kids but adults do get them too.
For adults with hearing impairments or hearing loss, ear infections can be particularly inconvenient, as they can interact with hearing aids in some uncomfortable ways. Hearing aids can also shelter germs that could result in an ear infection if they aren’t correctly cleaned and maintained.
So, you may be wondering: Can I wear hearing aids while I have an ear infection? You can, but it might not be something you want to do. Ear infections can cause significant inflammation and discomfort in the ear, and your hearing aids might worsen those symptoms. But individuals who use hearing aids can take a few steps to treat and possibly prevent ear infections.
Do hearing aids cause ear infections?
You may be questioning if your hearing aid is the cause of your ear infection if you’re an adult with hearing impairment. Technically, the answer is no. But in order to get the full picture we need to look at it in greater detail.
The vast majority of all ear infections are a result of viruses or bacteria that then infect the inner ear. There are a wide variety of vectors that can result in infection. Often, a previous illness, like a cold or sinus infection, will lead to an infection of the inner ear. In other situations, fluid buildup might result in an infection. And it’s also definitely possible for viruses and bacteria to infect the inner ear via simple transmission.
For individuals who use hearing aids, this can be a regular occurrence. The virus or bacteria latches onto your hearing device and, when inserted, gets access to the inner ear. Correct hearing aid cleaning and maintenance is crucial for this reason. So the virus or bacteria is really the cause of the infection, not the hearing aid itself. But your hearing aid does play a part in this transmission.
Interactions between hearing aids and ear infections
So what is the degree of interaction between hearing aids and ear infections? To know what to expect, it’s useful to look at the most prevalent symptoms of an ear infection. Here are some of the most prevalent symptoms of ear infections:
- Temporary loss of hearing in some cases
- Fluid draining from the ear
- A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears
- Tinnitus (a ringing in the ears)
- Pain in the ear
- Inflammation and swelling
- Dizziness or vertigo
Not everyone will suffer from every symptom, of course. Usually, you will have noticeable swelling of the inner ear and ear pain in the infected ear. For individuals with hearing loss, these symptoms can interact unfavorably with your hearing aids. That’s because your hearing aid will most likely (at least in part) reside within the ear canal. Because the ear canal is inflamed and tender, your hearing aids might cause extra discomfort.
Additionally, any in-the-canal hearing aid can prevent drainage. Your infection and discomfort might last longer if fluid is trapped in your ear. This will also increase the pressure (and pain) you feel in your ears. This pressure can be even more pronounced when you’re wearing your hearing aid.
The functionality of your hearing aid can also be impacted by the excess moisture. So your hearing aids aren’t working at peak performance and your ears are in pain. This means that you will have a terrible time wearing your hearing aid while you have an ear infection.
Ear infection & hearing aid strategies
You might now be thinking: my hearing aids annoy me when I have an ear infection… but what can I do? There are several steps you can take to lower your risk of getting ear infections and to manage the discomfort that an ear infection might cause. Those steps include the following:
- Take breaks from wearing your hearing aids: If the pain is prolonged or significant, it’s all right to take a break from wearing your hearing aid until your ears are feeling better. You can use alternative methods of communication with friends and family, like texting, in the meantime.
- Practice good ear hygiene: This means regularly cleaning your outer ear and, generally, keeping your ears clean and dry. However, you should never stick any object in your ear and that includes cotton swabs. With a cotton swabs, your risk of developing an ear infection increases because you could push earwax and debris further up into your ear canal. You’re trying to accomplish the exact opposite.
- Talk to your hearing specialist: Think about coming in to have your hearing aid re-fit if your ear infection goes away but your hearing aid is still not comfortable.
- Regularly clean your hearing aids: Keeping your device clean can lessen the chance of transferring bacteria or viruses to your ears. Ask us for assistance if you’re not sure how to correctly clean and disinfect your hearing aids.
- Talk to your healthcare provider: If you think that you have an ear infection, talk to your doctor as soon as you can. The sooner you address the ear infection, the less severe or prolonged your symptoms may be.
Hearing aids are most likely an essential part of your everyday life. They help you communicate with loved ones and move about the world more easily. That makes it really difficult to give up your hearing aid even for short periods. However, taking a break from your hearing aids while you have an ear infection can help you recuperate from your illness more quickly and more comfortably. This will help you get back to feeling better sooner.
Ear infections are fairly common. But you should still get treatment if you notice symptoms. Contact us if you’re wondering how your hearing aid use will be affected by an ear infection.
