It might be a surprise to many that approximately 20% of all ear infections occur in adults. Most individuals think of ear infections as a childhood ailment, something that impacts mainly young kids. Ear infections are definitely more common in children 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 unpleasant ways. Hearing aids can also shelter germs that could lead to an ear infection if they aren’t correctly cleaned and maintained.
So, you might be wondering: Can I wear hearing aids while I have an ear infection? You can, but it may not be something you want to do. Ear infections can cause considerable inflammation and discomfort in the ear, and your hearing aids might worsen those symptoms. However, there are some steps that people who use hearing aids can take to help avoid and treat ear infection symptoms.
Can an ear infection be caused by hearing aids?
You might be wondering if your hearing aid is the cause of your ear infection if you’re an adult with hearing loss. Technically, the answer is no. But in order to get the complete picture we need to view it in greater detail.
Nearly all ear infections are caused by bacteria or a virus that gets into the ear. There are a number of paths that bacteria and viruses can take on their way to becoming an 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 may result in an infection. And it’s also definitely possible for viruses and bacteria to infect the inner ear through direct transmission.
This can happen 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. That’s why it is crucial for people who have hearing impairments to correctly maintain and clean their devices. In other words, the hearing aid itself does not cause the ear infection, the virus or bacteria does. But your hearing aid does play a part in this transmission.
How ear infections interact with hearing aids
So, how do ear infections and hearing aids interact? To know what to expect, it’s useful to look at the most prevalent symptoms of an ear infection. Generally speaking, ear infections will have the following symptoms:
- Pain in the ear
- Ear pressure or a feeling of fullness
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- In some situations, temporary hearing loss
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Swelling and inflammation
- Fluid draining from the ear
Obviously, everybody will experience the symptoms in their own way. In the majority of cases, your infected ear will be painful and there will likely be obvious swelling around the inner ear. These symptoms can have an adverse interaction with hearing aids for those with hearing loss. That’s because your hearing aid will most likely (at least partially) reside within the ear canal. Your hearing aids may cause added discomfort as they irritate the tender inflamed infected ear.
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 marked when you’re wearing your hearing aid.
This added moisture can also impede the function of your hearing aid. So your hearing aids aren’t functioning at peak performance and your ears are in pain. Which means that wearing hearing aids when you have an ear infection can be an absolutely miserable time.
Ear infection & hearing aid solutions
So what can you do if your hearing aids are annoying you while you have an ear infection? You can reduce your risk of getting an ear infection and address any discomfort that an ear infection may cause by taking a few steps. 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 feel better. You can use alternative methods of communication with friends and family, like texting, in the meantime.
- Regularly clean your hearing aids: Keeping your device clean can lessen the risk of transmitting bacteria or viruses to your ears. Ask us for assistance if you’re not sure how to correctly clean and sanitize your hearing aids.
- Practice good ear hygiene: This means regularly cleaning your outer ear and, generally, keeping your ears dry and clean. However, you should never stick any object inside of your ear and that includes cotton swabs. Using cotton swabs can push earwax and other debris further into your ear, increasing your risk of developing an infection. This is the exact opposite of what you’re likely trying to do.
- Talk to your healthcare provider: You should talk to your doctor sooner than later if you believe you may be developing an ear infection. Treating a hearing aid as soon as possible will reduce the risk of it becoming severe or prolonged.
- 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.
You probably depend heavily on your hearing aid every day. They help you communicate with family and friends and move about the world more easily. That makes it very hard to give up your hearing aid even for short periods. However, you will have a speedier recovery from your ear infection if you take a break from wearing them until you heal up. That means you can get back to enjoying what you hear faster.
It’s not uncommon for people to get ear infections. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get treatment or try to prevent them. If you have questions about how ear infections may impact your hearing aid use, give us a call today.