Are you prone to ear infections? This isn’t just a childhood ailment. Many adults suffer from frequent ear infections. If you are one of these individuals, you may wonder if hearing aids will cause this issue to flare up.
Ear infections can be caused by a variety of factors. They may be caused by bacteria or a virus in the inner ear, but a cold, sinus infection, or allergies can also trigger an ear infection. This is because the virus or bacteria triggers the eustachian tubes to become swollen or blocked and then fluid builds up in the middle ear. You may experience ear infections if water becomes trapped in the ear after showering or swimming, or if there is some kind of blockage caused by built-up wax or a foreign object.
If you are already prone to ear infections and you don’t take proper care of your hearing aids, you may notice that hearing aids cause an increase in ear infections. This is because they can trap moisture in the ear or carry harmful bacteria if not properly cleaned. However, there are ways to continue to wear hearing aids safely so that they don’t cause ear infections.
For starters, it is a good idea to remove hearing aids at night. This will let your ears dry out and have some room to breathe. If you can, you may also want to put your hearing aids in a special UV light dryer. It will clear out any harmful bacteria and extra moisture that may be causing ear infections. You can also invest in hearing aid cleaner that not only cleans the hearing aids, but dissolves excess wax.
When you do experience an ear infection, you want to make sure you don’t wear your hearing aids. If your ears are swollen and sensitive, hearing aids can aggravate pain symptoms. They may also block your ears from properly draining as your body fights the infection. Putting hearing aids in and out will simply transfer the harmful bacteria back and forth. Placing objects in the ear can also cause breaks and cuts in the skin, which encourages the infection rather than fighting it.
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.