It might be a surprise to many that approximately 20% of all ear infections occur in adults. The common notion is that ear infections are something that normally impact kids. And it’s accurate that ear infections are more prevalent in kids, but they also happen frequently in adults.
Ear infections can be particularly uncomfortable for individuals with hearing loss because they can interfere with their hearing aids. Additionally, when hearing aids aren’t correctly maintained, they can become a vector for ear infection-causing diseases.
So is it a bad idea to use hearing aids with an ear infection? In general, the answer is yes, but you may not want to. Hearing aids could intensify the discomfort and inflammation caused by an ear infection. However, there are some steps that those who use hearing aids can take to help prevent and treat ear infection symptoms.
Can an ear infection be caused by hearing aids?
If you’re an adult with hearing loss and you begin to notice the symptoms of an ear infection, you may begin to wonder: did my hearing aids cause my ear infection? The technical 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 lead to infection. In some instances, the inner ear becomes infected after a past illness (for instance, a sinus infection or a cold). In other situations, fluid buildup might result in an infection. And it’s also certainly 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. Proper hearing aid cleaning and maintenance is crucial for this reason. So the virus or bacteria is actually the cause of the infection, not the hearing aid itself. But your device may play a role in transmission.
Interactions between hearing aids and ear infections
So what is the degree of interaction between hearing aids and ear infections? To understand 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:
- Drainage of fluid from the ear
- Temporary loss of hearing in some situations
- Ear pain
- A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears
- Inflammation and swelling
- Tinnitus (a ringing in the ears)
- Vertigo or dizziness
Needless to say, everyone will experience the symptoms in their own way. Usually, you will have noticeable swelling of the inner ear and ear pain in the infected ear. For those with hearing loss, these symptoms can interact unfavorably with your hearing aids. That’s because your hearing aid will most likely (at least partially) reside within the ear canal. Your hearing aids could cause added soreness as they aggravate the tender inflamed infected ear.
Also, with a hearing aid that goes mostly inside the ear canal, fluid drainage can be obstructed. Your infection and discomfort may last longer if fluid is stuck 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.
This increased moisture can also impede the function 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 terrible 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:
- Regularly clean your hearing aids: Keeping your device clean can decrease the chance of transmitting bacteria or viruses to your ears. Ask us for help if you’re not sure how to properly clean and disinfect your hearing aids.
- Practice good ear hygiene: This means routinely cleaning your outer ear and, generally, keeping your ears dry and clean. Do not try to stick any object in your ear, however, including cotton swabs. With a cotton swabs, your chance of developing an ear infection increases because you could jam earwax and debris further up into your ear canal. This is the exact opposite of what you’re likely attempting to do.
- Talk to your healthcare provider: You should speak with your doctor sooner than later if you believe 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.
- Take breaks from wearing your hearing aids: If the pain is persistent or significant, it’s all right to take a break from wearing your hearing aid until your ears are feeling better. During this time off, you can pursue other means of communicating with your loved ones (like texting or writing messages on a piece of paper, and so on).
- Talk to your hearing specialist: Consider coming in to have your hearing aid re-fit if your ear infection clears but your hearing aid is still uncomfortable.
Hearing aids are likely an essential part of your everyday life. They help you get around your world more easily and have better communication with your family and friends. That makes it very hard 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 recover from your sickness more quickly and more comfortably. That means you can get back to enjoying what you hear faster.
It’s not uncommon for people to get ear infections. But you should still seek treatment if you detect symptoms. Contact us if you’re wondering how your hearing aid use will be affected by an ear infection.