Can wearing Hearing Aids cause Ear Infections?

Ear infections may occur in your middle ear - the area behind your eardrum - if there’s fluid build-up. That build-up can lead to bacterial and/or viral infections. Ear infections can be caused by allergies, colds, and the flu. Ear infections can also occur in the outer ear or ear canal if it comes in contact with bacteria or contaminated water. Some hearing aids are designed to seal off the ear canal. As a result, an ear infection can linger if they are frequently worn without proper regular cleanings. 

Hearing aids are supposed to be worn all day, from the moment when you wake up to the moment when you get ready to sleep unless you take a shower/bath, or go into a body of water. To help prevent ear infections, it’s important to keep up with daily hearing aid cleanings at home and schedule professional cleanings every six months or less. If there's too much debris or earwax impacting the function of the devices, you should visit your hearing instrument specialist sooner.  

Some signs of an ear infection are pain and swelling. Hearing aids are custom-fit, or a standard dome size is recommended for each user, so if there’s pain and swelling it indicates that the devices were not correctly fit. The improper fitting will also affect the sound quality that you hear when wearing them. 

What Should You Do if You Have an Ear Infection from Wearing Hearing Aids?

1. Consult a hearing healthcare provider if you think you have an ear infection. 
2. Practice daily cleanings on your hearing aids to reduce bacteria.
3. Remove the hearing aids for a brief period, to rest your ears and air them out.
4. Keep your ears dry or immediately wipe them dry after a dip in the pool or if you sweat on a hot day/after a workout. 
5. Keep your hearing aids dry and away from places like your bathroom. Moisture is every electronic device’s enemy. Use a dry kit or place them in a small container of dry, uncooked rice or silica gel if they do get wet.
6. Consult your hearing instrument specialist for proper hearing aid maintenance care. 

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If you or a loved one need a professional cleaning for your hearing aids or a re-fitting for a more suitable fit, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing to schedule an appointment.  

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