It may be a surprise to many people that approximately 20% of all ear infections occur in adults. The common idea is that ear infections are something that normally affect children. Ear infections are definitely more prevalent 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 harbor germs that could lead to an ear infection if they are not properly cleaned and maintained.
So is it a bad idea to use hearing aids with an ear infection? Overall, the answer is yes, but you may not want to. Hearing aids could intensify the discomfort and swelling caused by an ear infection. But people who use hearing aids can take a few steps to treat and possibly prevent ear infections.
Can an ear infection be caused by hearing aids?
If you’re an adult with hearing loss and you start to notice the symptoms of an ear infection, you might begin to wonder: did my hearing aids cause this ear infection? The technical answer is no. But in order to get the complete picture we have to view it in greater detail.
Almost all ear infections are caused by bacteria or a virus that gets into the ear. There are quite a few paths that bacteria and viruses can take on their way to becoming an infection. Sometimes, a previous illness, such as a cold or sinus infection, will lead to an infection of the inner ear. An infection might be caused by fluid buildup in other instances. And it’s also definitely possible for viruses and bacteria to infect the inner ear through direct transmission.
This can occur with some frequency to individuals who use hearing aids. Your hearing aid collects this bacteria or virus and then gets inserted directly into your ear. Correct hearing aid cleaning and maintenance is crucial for this reason. Essentially, the hearing aid itself does not cause the ear infection, the virus or bacteria does. But your device may play a role in transmission.
How ear infections interact with hearing aids
So what is the degree of interaction between hearing aids and ear infections? To know what to expect, it’s helpful to look at the most common symptoms of an ear infection. Here are a few of the most common symptoms of ear infections:
- A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears
- Fluid draining from the ear
- Temporary loss of hearing in some situations
- Inflammation and swelling
- Pain in the ear
- Vertigo or dizziness
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Needless to say, everyone will experience the symptoms in their own way. In the majority of cases, your infected ear will be painful and there will most likely be obvious swelling around the inner ear. For individuals with hearing loss, these symptoms can interact unfavorably with your hearing aids. That’s because your hearing aid will likely (at least partially) reside within the ear canal. Because the ear canal is irritated and tender, your hearing aids may cause extra discomfort.
Additionally, any in-the-canal hearing aid can prevent drainage. When fluids cannot drain, your discomfort may become prolonged. 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.
This added moisture can also impede the operation of your hearing aid. So your hearing aids aren’t working at peak performance and your ears are in pain. This means that you will have a horrible time wearing your hearing aid while you have an ear infection.
Strategies to wearing hearing aids with an ear infection
So what can you do if your hearing aids are annoying you during an ear infection? There are a number of steps you can take to lower your risk of developing 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: You can take a break from your hearing aids for a few days if you have severe or persistent pain. During this interim period, you can pursue other ways of communicating with your loved ones (like texting or writing messages on a piece of paper, and so on).
- Regularly clean your hearing aids: Making sure your devices are clean can help to ensure they aren’t transmitting bacteria and viruses to your ears (or, at least, that it occurs less frequently.) Ask us for help if you’re not certain how to correctly clean and disinfect your hearing aids.
- Practice good ear hygiene: It’s important to keep your ears dry and clean and routinely clean your outer ear. However, you should never stick any object inside of your ear and that includes cotton swabs. Using cotton swabs can drive earwax and other debris further into your ear, increasing your chance of developing an infection. This is the exact opposite of what you’re likely attempting to accomplish.
- Talk to your hearing specialist: Consider coming in to have your hearing aid re-fit if your ear infection goes away but your hearing aid is still uncomfortable.
- Talk to your healthcare provider: You should speak with your doctor sooner than later if you suspect you might be developing an ear infection. Treating a hearing aid as soon as possible will decrease the chance of it becoming severe or prolonged.
Hearing aids are most likely an essential part of your daily life. They help you communicate with loved ones and move about the world more easily. Which means that these little devices will usually be difficult to give up, even for a short time. However, taking a break from your hearing aids while you have an ear infection can help you recuperate from your infection more quickly and more comfortably. This will help you get back to feeling better quicker.
Ear infections are fairly common. But you should still seek treatment if you notice symptoms. Contact us if you’re wondering how your hearing aid use will be impacted by an ear infection.