Do Your Ears feel Itchy while wearing Hearing Aids?

Sensitive Skin and Itchy Ears

A common problem that people have with their hearing aids, especially for first-time wearers, are itchy ears. The skin on your ear canal is sensitive - even from a mild irritation - which can make it difficult to become accustomed to wearing hearing aids. 

The plastic coating on hearing aids is the main culprit of the itching sensation. Another possible cause of itchy ears may be due to water that gets trapped behind the hearing aid. 

Depending on the cause of the itching, your ears may be treated with antibiotics, ear drops, or syringing. 

It’s important to rule out any other causes. If you have problems with your skin, like eczema or ears that become too dry, this may also be a reason why your ears itch. 

Generally, other causes of itchy ears may include:

Dry ears  

Your ears produce oil and cerumen (earwax), which helps to maintain a clean and healthy ear. Cleaning your ears too often can lead to wax removal. This dries the ear and leads to that itchy feeling.   

Some people cannot naturally produce enough earwax. As a result, their ears become dry and they might find dry, flaky skin around their ear.

Ear infections 

An itchy feeling in your ears could be the result of an infection or a signal that an infection is forming. 

Bacteria and viruses may cause ear infections while you have a cold or flu. An infection may develop if there is water trapped in your ear, or too much earwax buildup.

Blockage of earwax

When there is too much earwax buildup, your ears may itch which can affect your hearing abilities. 

Earwax is naturally produced to help keep the ear clean and shield the inner ear from becoming infected. Earwax will naturally move out from the ear, and carry along with it dead skin cells and other debris. It will then dry out and eventually fall away.

Earwax buildup may occur if you insert anything, such as a cotton swab or bobby pin, into the ear canal. Irritation may occur in the canal and push earwax further into the ear, which will cause a blockage. 

Earwax blocking your ear canal may trap bacteria, causing an infection.

Swimmer’s ear

If you have water trapped in your ear, this may cause otitis, or swimmer’s ear. It generally affects swimmers. 

Bacteria can grow in the trapped water, which can cause an infection. In addition to feeling itchy ears, those who have swimmer’s ear may also have:
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• Difficulty hearing
• Ear drainage
• Ear pain
• Face, neck, or head pain
• Feelings of your ears being blocked
• Inflammation around the ear 

Treatments and Home Remedies

If it’s dry skin that is causing the itchy feeling in your ears, you can try to place a couple drops of olive oil onto your ear. A drop of oil may also help to relieve any feelings of itchiness from the hearing aids. It’s important the oil does not touch the hearing aid, so it’s advised to place the drops on before going to sleep.

If your ears feel itchy while wearing hearing aids, there may be too much pressure being placed on your ears from the hearing aid devices. That’s a sign that your hearing aids may not fit properly. A hearing instrument specialist can create a new mold so that the hearing aid fits more comfortably, and no longer causes an itching sensation.

​Please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids if your hearing aids are making your ears feel itchy or uncomfortable. Our hearing instrument specialists can provide a customized mold for you.

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