Surprisingly, about 20% of all ear infections happen to adults. The common idea is that ear infections are something that usually impact children. And it’s true that ear infections are more common in kids, but they also happen frequently in adults.
Ear infections can be especially unpleasant for individuals who have hearing loss because they can interact with their hearing aids. Hearing aids can also shelter germs that could lead to an ear infection if they aren’t properly cleaned and maintained.
So, you might be wondering: Can I use hearing aids while I have an ear infection? You can, but it may not be something you want to do. Hearing aids could intensify the discomfort and inflammation caused by an ear infection. But individuals who use hearing aids can take a few steps to manage 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 may begin to wonder: did my hearing aids cause my 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 a wide range of vectors that can lead to infection. In some cases, the inner ear becomes infected after an earlier illness (for example, a sinus infection or a cold). An infection may be caused by fluid buildup in other situations. And it’s also definitely possible for viruses and bacteria to infect the inner ear through direct transmission.
For people who wear hearing aids, this can be a regular occurrence. The virus or bacteria hitches a ride on your hearing aid and, upon insertion, gains access to the inner ear. That’s why it is crucial for individuals with hearing loss to correctly maintain and clean their devices. So the virus or bacteria is actually the cause of the infection, not the hearing aid itself. But your device might play a role in transmission.
Interactions between hearing aids and ear infections
So, how do ear infections and hearing aids interact? To understand what to expect, it’s helpful to look at the most prevalent symptoms of an ear infection. Here are some of the most common symptoms of ear infections:
- Discharge of fluid from the ear
- A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears
- Pain in the ear
- Swelling and inflammation
- Dizziness or vertigo
- In some instances, temporary hearing loss
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Needless to say, everyone will experience the symptoms in their own way. Usually, you will have obvious swelling of the inner ear and ear pain in the infected ear. These symptoms can have a negative interaction with hearing aids for those with hearing loss. That’s because the hearing aid goes inside the infected ear (at least some of it). Because the ear canal is inflamed and tender, your hearing aids could cause extra discomfort.
Additionally, any in-the-canal hearing aid can stop drainage. Your infection and discomfort may last longer if fluid is trapped in your ear. The pain and pressure in your ears will be increased as a result of this. This pressure can be even more marked when you’re wearing your hearing aid.
The performance of your hearing aid can also be impacted by the extra moisture. So your ears are in more pain and your hearing aid doesn’t really work as well as it should. This means that you will have a terrible time wearing your hearing aid while you have an ear infection.
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 developing an ear infection and manage any discomfort that an ear infection might cause by taking a few steps. Here are a few of those steps:
- Take breaks from wearing your hearing aids: If the pain is persistent or significant, it’s okay to take a break from wearing your hearing aid until your ears feel better. During this time off, you can pursue other ways of communicating with your loved ones (such as texting or writing messages on a piece of paper, and so on).
- Talk to your healthcare provider: If you think that you have an ear infection, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Treating a hearing aid as soon as possible will decrease the risk of it becoming severe or prolonged.
- 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.
- Regularly clean your hearing aids: Making sure your devices are clean can help to ensure they aren’t transferring 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 sanitize your hearing aids.
- Practice good ear hygiene: It’s essential to keep your ears clean and dry and routinely clean your outer ear. 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. You’re attempting to accomplish the exact opposite.
You most likely depend heavily on your hearing aid every day. They help you navigate your world more easily and have better communication with your friends and family. Which means that these little devices can often be difficult to give up, even for a short time. However, you will have a quicker 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.
Ear infections are fairly common. But you should still seek treatment if you detect symptoms. If you have questions about how ear infections might impact your hearing aid use, give us a call today.