Can You Wear Hearing Aids with Ear Infection?

Ear infections are common in Pakistan, especially among children and the elderly. If you rely on hearing aids for daily communication, an ear infection creates a difficult situation: you need your hearing aids to function, but wearing them during an infection can potentially worsen the condition or damage the device. Here is what you need to know.

Types of Ear Infections

Outer Ear Infection (Otitis Externa)

Also called swimmer's ear, this infection affects the ear canal. Symptoms include pain, itching, redness, and sometimes discharge. Wearing a hearing aid with otitis externa can increase pain and trap bacteria against the inflamed skin. Remove your hearing aid and see a doctor for antibiotic ear drops.

Middle Ear Infection (Otitis Media)

This infection occurs behind the eardrum and is common in children. It may cause temporary hearing loss, ear pain, and sometimes a perforated eardrum with discharge. If there is discharge, avoid wearing the hearing aid. If the eardrum is intact and there is no discharge, wearing a hearing aid may be acceptable but consult your doctor.

Chronic Ear Infections

Some patients have recurring or chronic ear infections. These patients need special consideration when choosing and using hearing aids. Open-fit or ventilated ear molds that allow air circulation can reduce infection risk.

When to Stop Wearing Your Hearing Aid

• Any visible discharge (fluid, pus, or blood) from the ear
• Severe pain that worsens when the hearing aid is inserted
• Significant swelling of the ear canal
• Fever accompanying ear symptoms
• Doctor's explicit instruction to remove the device

When It Is Generally Safe to Continue

• Mild outer ear irritation without discharge
• Middle ear infection with intact eardrum and no discharge (consult your doctor first)
• Post-infection, once all discharge has stopped and your doctor approves

Preventing Ear Infections with Hearing Aids

• Clean your hearing aids daily with a dry cloth and cleaning brush
• Clean your ears properly but never insert cotton buds; see a doctor for wax removal
• Keep ear molds dry and use a drying kit or dehumidifier every night
• Replace domes and wax guards regularly as recommended
• Allow your ears to breathe by removing hearing aids for at least a few hours daily
• Use ventilated ear molds if you are prone to ear infections
• Wash your hands before inserting or removing hearing aids

Hearing Aids for Infection-Prone Ears

If you frequently experience ear infections, certain hearing aid styles may be better for you:

• Open-fit BTE: BTE hearing aids with open domes allow air to circulate in the ear canal, reducing moisture buildup that promotes infection
• RIC with open domes: RIC hearing aids with non-occluding domes provide amplification while keeping the ear canal ventilated
• Avoid CIC: CIC hearing aids completely block the ear canal, which can increase infection risk in susceptible individuals

When to See a Doctor

If you experience ear pain, discharge, sudden hearing changes, or persistent itching, see an ENT doctor before continuing to use your hearing aids. Untreated ear infections can cause permanent hearing damage. After treatment, visit our clinic for a follow-up hearing test to ensure your hearing has returned to its baseline level.