We often have patients ask us if wearing hearing aids could lead to ear infections. The answer isn’t that the two are intrinsically linked, but rather that without proper care given to your hearing aids, dirt and built-up wax can irritate your ear and lead to infection.
There are three different areas of the ear that can be prone to infection – and no, hearing aids cannot directly cause any of them.
Otitis Externa (Outer Ear Infection)
Outer ear infections are the infections that people sometimes link hearing aids to due to their placement in the outer ear canal, the tube between the outer ear and the eardrum. These are sometimes called “swimmer’s ear.”
This type of ear infection is caused by bacteria or fungi growing in the ear canal, leading to irritation; after swimming, water can get trapped in the ear and create an environment where bacteria or fungi can thrive.
When it comes to hearing aids, wax or sweat on the outer casing of your hearing aid can get trapped and lead to infections. However, with proper hearing aid care and cleaning, ear infections due to hearing aids can be easily avoided.
Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection)
Middle ear infections occur in the air-filled space behind the eardrum that houses the hammer, anvil, and stirrup, which are the tiny bones that transmit sound to the brain.
These ear infections are usually caused by bacteria or viruses entering the middle ear due to complications from colds, sore throats, or respiratory infections. Trapped fluid in the Eustachian tube can create a conducive environment for infection as a result.
To treat a middle ear infection, quite often you’ll need to treat the cause first – antibiotics to address the viral infection can usually cure the ear infection along with it.
Otitis Interna (Inner Ear Infection)
This form of ear infection, known as labyrinthitis, affects the inner ear’s labyrinth, which handles hearing and balance.
Inner ear infections are also caused by viral infections like colds and flu, and in rare cases they can be bacterial. These ear infections, because of the inflammation of the inner ear, can lead to hearing loss and dizziness.
With the help of antibiotics to cure the viral infection, your inner ear infection can be treated simultaneously. Medicine and antihistamines for dizziness can also assist in treatment.
Give Your Hearing Aids Some TLC with AVI New England
Hearing aids, like any other form of technology out there, need some cleaning and care from time to time to ensure they’re working at their best. Wipe excess wax or sweat from your devices with a dry cloth to ensure cleanliness and peak functionality.
If your hearing aids aren’t working as they should, or you’d like a professional to take a look at what’s going on, we encourage you to get in touch with us!
You can rest assured that our team of experts can provide you with advice and support to help keep your hearing aids functioning as well as they should so you can hear your life without interruption.
Get in touch with us via our website to get started, or give us a call at 475-227-0842 for a more immediate chat.
We’re here to help for every step of your hearing health journey!
