A Guide to Preventing and Treating Painful Hearing Aid Pressure Sores

What Are Hearing Aid Pressure Sores?

Hearing aids are critical devices that help people with hearing impairment to better process and understand sounds. However, one downside is that hearing aids can cause pressure sores around the ear due to the constant force and friction of the device resting against the skin.

Hearing aid pressure sores, also sometimes called hearing aid sores or irritation, occur when the sensitive skin around the ear becomes damaged from prolonged pressure or rubbing against hearing aid parts like the case, earbud, or mould.

These sores can range from mild redness and discomfort to more severe ulcers or blisters around the ear. Thankfully, there are ways to prevent and treat hearing aid pressure sores to keep your ears healthy.

Causes and Locations of Hearing Aid Pressure Sores

There are a few common causes and locations for hearing aid pressure sores. Understanding what leads to these irritating sores can help you prevent and address them.

Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids

Behind-the-ear styles are the most common hearing aid type. The hard plastic case that sits behind the ear can cause irritation and sores due to pressure and friction, especially if it doesn’t fit properly.

Sores often develop:

• On the back of the ear lobe
• On the anti-helix area behind the upper ear
• Where the ear canal opening meets the hearing aid

Custom In-the-Ear Moulds

Custom hearing aid moulds that fit directly into the ear canal can also pose soreness risks. An ill-fitting mould that doesn’t align with the ear anatomy or applies too much pressure can lead to:

• Sores along the ear canal wall
• Abrasions at the mould opening
• General inner ear irritation

Poorly Fit Hearing Aids

The most common cause of hearing aid sores is a poor fit. Hearing aids that are loose and shift around the ear or are too tight can cause excessive friction leading to:

• Calluses behind the ear
• Blisters along the anti-helix
• Abrasion injuries

Allergies

Some people may develop allergic reactions to the materials used in hearing aid parts. Common allergens include nickel alloy in wires and silicone/plastic in ear moulds and cases.

Excessive Moisture and Heat

Heat, humidity, and sweat trapped around hearing aids can make the skin more vulnerable to breaking down. This moisture accumulation raises infection risks too.

Symptoms of Hearing Aid Pressure Sores

How can you tell if those irritations around your ears are hearing aid pressure sores? Here are some of the most common symptoms:

Visible Skin Damage

Look closely at your skin around where your hearing aid sits. Signs like redness, rashes, calluses, blisters, scabbing, and ulcers point to sores.

Swelling

Increased swelling around the outline of your hearing aid or ear mould is a sure sign of skin irritation and damage.

Tenderness

Hearing aid pressure sores are often tender to the touch when pressed gently. There may be a burning or stinging sensation.

Itchiness

Itchy skin around hearing aids is usually the first indicator of issues. As sores worsen, the irritation gives way to pain.

Drainage/Crust

Weeping clear fluid or yellowish crusty drainage can emerge from damaged pressure sore areas.

Ear Pain

For in-ear hearing aids, worsening pain inside the canal points to skin erosion and ulcers.

Risk Factors

Certain hearing aid wearers are at increased risk of developing pressure sores:

• Children - Delicate pediatric skin is more vulnerable to damage.
• Elderly - Thin aging skin and underlying health conditions make sores more likely.
• Diabetes - High blood sugar levels impair healing.
• Autoimmune Disorders - Conditions like psoriasis, eczema, lupus increase susceptibility.
• Poor Circulation - Inadequate blood flow slows healing.
• Obesity - Excess fatty tissue changes the fit of hearing aids.
• Allergies - Allergy-prone individuals react to device materials.
• Dry Skin - Lack of moisture weakens the skin barrier.

Complications

While mild irritation and redness from hearing aids may not be serious, some complications can potentially develop including:

Infections

If skin breaks open, bacteria can enter causing infectious sores. This may produce swelling, pus, foul odor, and fever.

Abscesses

Abscesses are walled off pus-filled lumps under the skin. The area becomes extremely painful and tender.

Cellulitis

This serious bacterial skin infection spreads swelling and redness rapidly across the skin surface. It requires prompt medical treatment.

Perichondritis

A severe ear infection, perichondritis occurs when cartilage becomes inflamed. This causes severe pain and can permanently damage ear structure.

Preventing Hearing Aid Pressure Sores

The best treatment is prevention. Here are some tips to help avoid those pesky hearing aid pressure sores:

Get Proper Fitting

Ensure your hearing aids or ear moulds fit correctly by getting professionally fitted. Request any needed adjustments for comfort.

Choose Carefully

Select hearing aid materials least likely to irritate your skin - hypoallergenic silicone for moulds, gold alloys for wire casings, high-tech plastics for BTE bodies.

Clean Devices Daily

Follow meticulous cleaning routines for hearing aids and your ears to prevent debris buildup and infection risks.

Give Ears a Break

Develop the habit of removing your hearing aids for periods during the day to give your ears some pressure relief.

Stay Dry

Gently dry your ears well after showering or swimming. Use drying aids or dehumidifying kits for hearing aids.

Apply Protective Film

Special adhesive skin barrier films can be placed on ears to prevent rubs and friction.

Loosen Fit

If your hearing aids feel too snug, ask your audiologist to adjust them to be looser to avoid rubbing.

Treating Hearing Aid Pressure Sores

If you do develop irritating sores, prompt treatment can help them heal. Follow these tips for relief:

Remove Hearing Aids

Immediately stop wearing your hearing aids to give inflamed skin a rest. Protect blisters or openings with gauze temporarily.

Clean and Disinfect

Thoroughly clean the hearing aids and your ears to prevent worsening infection.

Apply Moisturizer

Gently apply antibiotic cream and moisturizer to help the damaged skin heal.

Take Oral Medication

For painful, oozing, or spreading sores, your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics or antiviral medication.

See Your Audiologist

Consult your audiologist promptly if sores develop so they can adjust hearing aid fit and materials.

Consider New Earmolds

For recurring soreness with custom in-ear moulds, you may need new impressions made to improve the fit.

When to See a Doctor

In most cases, you can manage mild hearing aid irritation at home. See your doctor right away if you experience:

• Severe pain
• Excessive swelling
• Oozing discharge
• Fever
• Red streaking
• Unhealed sores

These signal a potentially serious skin infection requiring medical treatment. Ignoring worsening pressure sores can lead to permanent ear damage and hearing loss.

Take Steps to Prevent Painful Hearing Aid Sores

While hearing aids are vital assistive devices, they do raise the risk of uncomfortable pressure sores around the ears. From redness to painful blisters and ulcers, these irritating sores can make hearing aid use unbearable.

Thankfully, taking preventative measures and promptly treating sores when they occur can keep your ears healthy. Work closely with your audiologist and doctor to optimize your hearing aid comfort and fit. Follow smart maintenance routines to avoid excess moisture, debris, and irritation.

With proper care, hearing aids can be worn comfortably long-term without painful pressure sores getting in the way of clear hearing and communication.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.