HA makes ear itchy

Hearing Aids
#13

Another thing that helped me with itchy domes was getting custom molds. They cost under $200 for measurement and fit and for any needed changes for the first few months. Molds and domes can be made of different materials; if one material causes an itchy sensation, the audiologist can try something else. (I really got the custom molds because I was having a retention issue in one ear, but as a side benefit, it solved the itchiness problem of the open-fit domes my aids came with as well. I occasionally feel itchiness in the ear canal now, but it’s rare, whereas it was constant with the open-fit domes. I never tried the drops, but they’re worth a shot as well.)

This is not an uncommon complaint with new aids, and the audiologist should be willing to work with her on it. Good luck!

#14

My reason for earmolds was also for retention, several friends with open fit HA had them fall out when working and I didn’t want that so I went for earmolds and haven’t had any problems. Also, after my wife 's itching problems with her open fit HA I think I made the right choice.

#15

A bunch of great info. It is appreciated.

The hydrocortizone cream recommended by rw622 might be something she could try, since it does stop itching. I don’t know if she would risk trying an ear-mold, until she could find out if she had a reaction to the material, if that is her problem. The gold one might appeal to her though. :slight_smile:

#16

Mike,
She isn’t allergic to gold is she? Lucky for me my wife is!

#17

Not hardly! I could probably get her to wear a diamond ear mold too.:smiley:

#18

In reference to the allergic reaction to gold. I believe that my molds are plated with 24K gold. If they were plated with 14K there is a possibility of reacting to the alloys in the mix, which bring it down to 14K. So pure is better. I tried all of the creams out there on the market, saw and ENT. and found through trial and error, with many errors, that the only solution for me was the Gold Plating to seperate the plastic from the ear canal. I ware glasses with a plastic frame, but don’t react to those with contact to the skin of my face. But the skin of the ear canal appears to react differently, and wont tolerate the plastic of any type contact. Thought of bone mounted aids, but that was totally a last resort. Didn’t need to go that route. So what works for me is gold plus the cream plus cleaning them with alcohol and let them dry to avoid fungus.

#19

Thank goodness you found something that worked. I don’t know what it will take for my wife to solve her problem; but until she is willing to wear them long enough to find out if her ears adapt to whatever we try, her problem can’t be resolved.

#20

Hydrocortisone cream does stop itching, but it is a steroid that can carry side effects as well particularly when used long-term, so you’d have to discuss that with a doctor or at least be aware of the possibility. Steroids don’t always work well for daily, long-term use. It might be fine. You’d just have to check on it.

I understand about not wanting to invest $100-200 in ear molds if she could react to them, and to be fair, there are a few people who react to multiple materials and have trouble finding anything that works for them, however, most people can find something that they do not react to. And with my audiologist, remember, the ear mold company allowed as many changes as needed–in other words, they would remake the molds as needed from different material, until we had a good fit and no reaction–for a length of time which I think was the first 90 days, at no extra charge. That first fee covered everything. So it’s something to consider, if her audiologist offers something similar.

#21

In my trial we ordered just the gold plated ear molds, and I tried wearing them without hearing aids. After I was confident that I could tolerate the molds, we ordered the aids. The molds were $400, with a 90 day guarantee. I did not check to find out if that was a money back guarantee. It was more likely a guarantee of fit. See who has Siemens products in your area and see if they can help. I checked all over, and Siemens is the only outfit that I could that offered the plating as an option. Went to Cosco, who handles Siemens products under the Cosco label, but there mold lab didn’t have plating available.

#22

Great points! I will mention that to my wife.

#23

I’ve been wearing Phonak Audeo IXSmart’s for several months and am very satisfied with them so far. I do have a question though: I wear glasses and sometimes the microphones rubbing against my hair and head or something cause a crackling noise when i’m chewing or moving my head around vigorously. Any of you run into this problem? Any suggestion on eliminating the issue?
Thanks,
Jim

PS: I love the icom and the way it works. Only wish I could up the volum once in a while

#24

My new Verite 9’s do the same thing. I don’t know that there is a solution. I can up the volume with the Soundgate which is really nice.

#25

I have custom made molds and although it was years ago I do remember the molds itching. Nothing terrible just enough to be annoying. My audi gave me a tiny bottle of Miracell and told me to just put a tiny bit on each mold. Not only does the stuff work but it makes it much easier to slide the mold into the ear canal. Get a small bottle. The stuff lasts forever.

#26

Jim,
Only way I solved problem was to let my hair grow longer, however, once I get it cut I’m back to the hair hitting the microphones. I did find that when I have short hair and wear my HA sweat bands I don’t have a problem.

#27

Thanks, I started out with custom ear molds that I couldn’t get to work for me (very uncomfortable). But it’s nice to know I’m not the only one with itchy ear’s while wearing HA’s.:smiley:
Not familiar with the gell mentioned in the above post but will try to find some.
Thanks again,
Jim

#28

Jim,
My wife uses the ICom and says you adjust the volume on the HA up or down. Have you tried doing this? How long did you try the earmolds for? Mine were uncomfortable for a few weeks but now I don’t even know they are in my ears.

#29

I use a solution of 50% rubbing alcohol and 50% vinegar and put the drops in my ear after swimming. The alcohol gets rid of the water and the vinegar keeps fungus away. My wife’s ENT told her about this. I always use cotton swabs on a stick to dry out my ears before and after doing this. But that can be dangerous if you’re not careful.

#30

I got a little device that has a UV light, a dessicant brick to absorb moisture, and a gentle low-heat forced air fan. Somebody told me that bacteria on the aids can cause the itching so I think the UV light is what kills that. Mine is called a Store and Dry or a Dry and Store (cant remember the exact name), but you put your aids in them at night and press a button. The UV light only stays on for a little bit, but the dryer has a longer cycle. My ears quit itching after I started using it. I order the dessicant bricks that hold the moisture removed on line.

#31

This probably wouldn’t do much good, since here ears start itching shortly after putting them in. She is getting ready to start wearing them again and has gotten some Miracel.

#32

I used to have the same problem until I started using disposable alcohol wipes on the portion of the aid that touches my ear daily.