MayoClinic.org
Itchy Ears and Hearing Aids
I have some minor hearing loss in both ears and have hearing aids that help me hear better. I rarely wear them because the inside of my ears itch so much when they are in. I’m using the smallest, smoothest earpieces and the inside of my ears still itch. The audiologist suggested rubbing baby oil or another lubricant inside my ear; which helps, but only a bit. Does anyone else have a problem with itchy ears and if so, how do you handle it?
I am terribly allergic to anything and that includes hearing aids…but I took care of that by understanding why that happens. The plastic instruments that you put in your ear can attract bacteria and dust while sitting inside your ear drum. Even if you clean your ears, they create a wax that protects your eardrum to keep it moist and to keep insects out of your ear. But it can also increase the itching factor – bacteria builds up in your ear and on your instruments that you insert each day. The best way to keep your hearing aids clean and moisture free is to put them in some type of device or cleaner each night while you are sleeping. They way they are ready for another day for you to use them without adding any new bacteria or dirt to your ears. Keeping your ears clean is also a good things – showers, having your doctor's office clean them out, etc.
There are different type of cleaners available that you find online – I bought mine through Harris …. I love the Dry and Clean devices which has eliminated my itching all together. If it comes back, I change my bulbs at the end of my over-the-ear HAs and use fresh ones. Check your owners manual for proper instructions on cleaning your hearing aids as well as speaking with your audiologists/hearing loss specialists for further instructions.
https://www.harriscomm.com/equipment/hearing-aid-products/ear-cleaners.html
My audiologist – Mrs Herb at Jon Wanamaker ( shoeing my age – now a Macy’s) created a warm old that works for and still used today- combo materials earmold. Lucite and soft materials. Lot less issues. My ears were also small. What troubles she had.
An ENT doctor gave me a prescription for fluocinolone acetonide 0.01% oil ear drops that fixed my itching ears from wearing HAs. I don’t drop the stuff in, just rub it on fingertips and apply. Voila! One or two times a week gives me complete relief.
@bobbifriend
Hi,
I had the exact same prescription…my ears were red and inflamed. I hide my Qtips which I use for my nails so I won’t be tempted to use them…only makes things worse. A few days of the RX and it was gone. I have a friend who swears by alcohol and peroxide mix for his ears.
However my ear canals tend to be dry so I put a few drops of mineral oil in them from time to time. I need the moisturizer as the dryness makes them itchy. This was also recommended by my ENT Doctor. Been doing that for over a year and my itchiness is 100% improved. Even though I live in a humid climate, the mineral oil doesn’t make them any more moist than normal. I have one soft and one hard acrylic mold and prefer the hard that extends a little up the concha (I think that’s the right term) as a lock. Hard acrylic also seems to cut down on the itchiness for me.
And being in Florida and outside I find it good to remove them and just wipe out any moisture.
Regards from FL Mary
thanks for the feedback! I have times when my ears are itchy, but I hadn't thought of any of this info. I'll be a lot more careful.
My itching ears stopped when I started using a hearing aid dryer with a blue light. The blue light eliminates up to 99% of germs and bacteria that contributes to the itching. Other recommendations made help if you already have itchy ears. Happy ears!