Dry ear skin & hearing aid
Hearing Aid and Headphones
The dryness and itching of ears can be caused by eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and other reasons described in this post. Moreover, about 40% of people wearing hearing aids experience itchy ears due to the constant presence of the device in the ear, especially when they only start using it. In this post, we discuss several common reasons for itching and dryness in the ears while using hearing aids or headphones.
Allergies
Materials of hearing aids, like acrylic or epoxy resin, can sometimes cause an allergic reaction. However, there are hearing aids made of hypoallergic products, for example, medical silicone.
In headphones, materials like nickel, cobalt, 4-tert-butyl-phenol, and chromium raise the biggest concern about allergic reactions. However, their concentration is very low, according to manufacturers. Earpads’ synthetic material can also lead to allergic contact dermatitis.
Besides devices’ materials, an allergic reaction can be caused by the solution used to clean the hearing aids and headphones. Try cleaning your device with a different agent to see if it makes any difference.
Contact allergy shouldn’t be overlooked because, if not treated in time, it can cause eczema.
Infection
Perspiration in the ear canal is typical, and the moisture can get into the sound tube of a hearing aid. The moisture trapped between the ear canal and earmold can cause an itching sensation. Moreover, excessive moisture can lead to fungal and bacterial growth, resulting in infection and more discomfort.
So it is a good idea to clean the devices you place in your ears and let them dry before using them to avoid moisture getting in the ear canal.
And do you need to clean the ears? Ears are self-cleaning, and earwax and oils naturally moisturize the ears and work their way out from the ears on their own.
There is a certain microbiome inside the ear (external auditory canal) and behind the ear (retro auricular crease). Earwax, hairs in the ears, and ear microbiome protect them from infections, and cleaning your ears too much disrupts this microbiome.
If you suspect that you have an earwax build-up, try to avoid cleaning it with a cotton swab, better ask your doctor to check and clean it.
Poor fitting
The earmold can be too tight or too loose. In this case, you might want to change it or ask your audiologist for a customized earmold.
When it is too tight, there is a chance of moisture build-up, which promotes bacterial growth and can lead to infections.
If a hearing aid is too big for your ear, it will be rubbing against sensitive skin inside and outside the ear.
The same goes for earphones; wearing them too tightly on your head can lead to chafing – the result of skin rubbing against the irritating material of earpads, especially if mixed with moisture. And chafing leads to itching and irritation.
Skin conditions
If nothing helps and you still feel itching and dryness, and you notice inflammation and flaking of the skin around the ears, scalp, and inside ears, you might have developed a skin condition, like eczema, dermatitis, or psoriasis. It usually affects the skin outside the ears first and only after it gets to the ear canal. You can try using a moisturizing ointment to relieve the itching and reduce the dryness. However, we also recommend consulting a dermatologist.
Summary:
- 40% of people wearing hearing aids experience itchy ears.
- Itching of the ears can be caused by an allergy to the material of hearing aids or headphones or to a cleaning solution.
- Infection can cause dryness and itching of the ears.
- The earmold can be too tight or too loose, causing moisture build-up or rubbing against sensitive skin.
- You might have developed a skin condition.
