It may be a surprise to many that approximately 20% of all ear infections occur in adults. Most individuals think of ear infections as a childhood illness, something that impacts mainly young kids. And it’s true that ear infections are more prevalent in children, but they also occur frequently in adults.
Ear infections can be particularly uncomfortable for individuals with 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 are not properly cleaned and maintained.
So is it a bad plan to use hearing aids with an ear infection? Overall, the answer is yes, but you might not want to. Hearing aids could aggravate 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 impairment and you begin 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 more nuance is required to understand the complete story.
The vast majority of all ear infections are a result of viruses or bacteria that then infect the inner ear. There are a wide range of vectors that can lead to infection. In some instances, the inner ear becomes infected after an earlier illness (for example, a sinus infection or a cold). An infection might be caused by fluid buildup in other instances. And it’s also certainly possible for viruses and bacteria to infect the inner ear through simple transmission.
This can occur with some frequency to individuals who wear hearing aids. The virus or bacteria latches onto your hearing aid and, upon insertion, gets access to the inner ear. Correct hearing aid cleaning and maintenance is essential 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.
Contact between hearing aids and ear infections
So, how do ear infections and hearing aids interact? The best way to anticipate what to expect is to look at the most prevalent ear infection symptoms. Generally speaking, ear infections will have the following symptoms:
- Vertigo or dizziness
- Pain in the ear
- In some instances, temporary hearing loss
- Inflammation and swelling
- Fluid draining from the ear
- A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Not everyone will experience every symptom, of course. In the majority of cases, your infected ear will hurt and there will most likely be obvious inflammation around the inner ear. These symptoms can have a negative interaction with hearing aids for people with hearing loss. That’s because the hearing aid goes inside the infected ear (at least some of it). Your hearing aids may cause added discomfort as they irritate the tender inflamed infected ear.
Additionally, any in-the-canal hearing aid can stop drainage. When fluids can’t drain, your discomfort might 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. 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 during an ear infection? There are a number of steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting ear infections and to manage the discomfort that an ear infection might cause. Here are a few of those steps:
- Regularly clean your hearing aids: Keeping your device clean can reduce the risk of transmitting bacteria or viruses to your ears. Ask us for assistance if you’re not certain how to properly clean and sanitize your hearing aids.
- Talk to your healthcare provider: You should speak with your doctor sooner than later if you suspect you might be developing an ear infection. The sooner you address the ear infection, the less severe or prolonged your symptoms may be.
- Practice good ear hygiene: It’s essential to keep your ears clean and dry and regularly clean your outer ear. Don’t try to stick any object in your ear, however, including 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 do.
- Take breaks from wearing your hearing aids: You can take a break from your hearing aids for a while if you have significant or persistent pain. You can use alternative methods of communication with family and friends, like texting, in the meantime.
- 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 not comfortable.
You probably 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. That makes it really difficult to give up your hearing aid even for short periods. However, you will have a faster recovery from your ear infection if you take a break from wearing them until you heal up. 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. If you have questions about how ear infections may affect your hearing aid use, give us a call today.
