Problem

[doglover1973]

Hello all. I've had my HA's for just over 8 weeks now and I'm happy to wear them. The problem is my ears are increasingly sore & itchy. So much so that I've taken a break. The same thing happened last year when I tried private HA's. After 2 months I ran into trouble. I was hoping it wouldn't happen with the NHS ones. Does anyone else have this problem? Is there a solution?

[Glenkerry40]

Ask your GP for a ointment I use on the outer ear or I use ear calm you buy over the counter

[doglover1973 in reply to Glenkerry40]

Thanks Glen 🙂

[Hidden]

Hi doglover1973 I had this issue at one point and was given ear drops from GP. Can't remember the name of them. Hope you get something to stop the irritation. xx

[doglover1973 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Fuzzy 🙂

[Covenette1]

Hi there, I had the same problem, mine was caused by the ears producing too much wax, as a cushion almost, against the HAs. It righted itself but I’d definitely check back with your HA provider, just to see if they have come across this before and could maybe recommend something? Kim x

[doglover1973 in reply to Covenette1]

Thanks Kim 🙂 My ears are very waxy.

[Fridays_Child_62]

Yes, this irritation comes back to me from time to time. I have the behind-the-ear, receiver-in-canal type of HA. I found the shape of the rubber ends to be significant (not sure what they're officially called) - I get on better with the dome-shaped than the flower-shaped ones. The flower-shaped ones seem to dig into my ear canal more. If that's the type of HA you have, it's also worth trying different sizes of ends.

[doglover1973 in reply to Fridays_Child_62]

Thanks Friday 🙂 One of mine is a flower shape dome and it does dig in - as you say.

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Hi DL1973

Depending on the make of hearing aid, you might want to explore Connevans' online catalogue of HA spares, which includes domes, tubes and maintenence kits for a variety of manufacturer's products:

connevans.co.uk/catalogue/1...

[doglover1973 in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

Thanks Pat 🙂 I'll have a look.

[LyraLilly]

Hi, I use Otinova ear spray as suggested by my audiologist, it usually helps clear up the itching, you just use it when you need it, also she suggested a little drop of olive oil every 2 to 3 days in the evening when you have taken them out and that seems to help I also use.UV drying box every night for the aids to keep them clean, quick wipe with a cleansing wipe and then pop them in the box overnight. It seems to help, I got the drying box from somewhere like Conn Evans I think. Good luck and hope you feel better soon

[doglover1973 in reply to LyraLilly]

Thanks Lilly 🙂 That's a good idea. My ears do feel damp inside so perhaps drying the HA's would help.

[Beagleears]

I hope you find a solution there seems to be a few suggestions....I am waiting for my appointment with ENT/Audiology as I think I'm going to need hearing aids....I'm dreading it as I'm not sure I want to put anything in my ears as I have eczema in my ears....so I can totally understand how itchy sore ears are very uncomfortable....take care....

[doglover1973 in reply to Beagleears]

Thanks Beagleears 🙂All the best with ENT / Audiology. I sympathise with not wanting to put anything in your ears.

[bantams]

Hi doglover, Is it possible for you to contact your NHS ENT/Audiologist to tell them the problem you are having, maybe different sized domes might help>

[doglover1973 in reply to bantams]

Thanks Bantams 🙂 I need to give them a call. It's not easy to get appts at the moment . The wait lists are still very long - even for follow ups.

[Parrcj]

Hi I have been advised to try out HA via NHS . They have informed me you can play sounds through them. I awaiting an appointment has this help with for anyone ? It has taken since Dec to get this far . My ear constantly screams nothing helps 🙃

[doglover1973 in reply to Parrcj]

Hi Parr . HA's are definitely worth a try. I was getting on well with mine until my ears got sore & itchy. They help in two ways. They let natural sounds in and they take the edge of the T . I didn't have the sound option . Only amplification. I hope you don't have to wait too much longer .

[bridgeit]

I wonder if the problem is fungal? Any orifice that's damp and has an impediment to drying out thoroughly can attract and grow fungus. This causes skin redness and itching, which resolves soon after the offending entrapment (of dampness) is removed and things dry out.I'm not sure how HAs might withstand it, but my suggestion is to clean them each evening with surgical spirit or isopropanol to thoroughly dry them out and sanitize them at the same time.

Don't use any of that stuff in or on your ears though! An anti-fungal cream from your GP should help clear up any possible ear fungal infection. The problem is going to be keeping the fungal spores at bay from growing in a damp environment every time you use the HAs, if fungal infection is indeed the problem.

I'm by no means certain, or medically trained, but it might be worth considering as a possible cause and having a word with your GP or pharmacist.

I hope you get whatever the problem is identified and sorted out soon!

[doglover1973 in reply to bridgeit]

Thanks bridgeit I think you might be right. When I tried private HA's last year I got a fungal ear infection. I believe it's called swimmers ear and can be caused by swimming - which I don't do - but also by HA's and earbuds. The ENT doc I saw after that said my ears were fine and they felt fine until I tried the NHS HA's . I'll follow your advice over cleaning & drying the aids if / when I can wear them again.

[Tissybelltent]

Hi there honey, there is a spray olive oil that you can use safely for itchy ear canals. It's called 'Earol' and is pure olive oil. Fought from the pharmacy. It has a 'dolly' on the part that goes into the ear and you leave that on for a minimal spray. Remove the 'dolly' for a larger amount to go further into the ear. It's not much good for ear wax softening but for that job I use vibrational therapy from You Tube that really works youtu.be/jn7agziidqU(Not working as expected?) I hope this helps you?Tiss💗🌍🌎🌏

[doglover1973 in reply to Tissybelltent]

Thanks very much Tissy 🙂