Last Updated on August 4, 2025 by Jonathan Javid Au.D.
As an experienced audiologist, I understand the importance of addressing concerns related to hearing aids and their usage in various health conditions. One frequent question is whether it is safe to wear hearing aids when you have an ear infection. While I cannot provide individualized medical advice, I can offer general insights to help guide your decision-making.
| Quick Reference Guide |
|---|
| Outer Ear Infections: Avoid hearing aids until infection resolves to promote ear drying. |
| Otitis Media: Hearing aid use is often safe, but adjustments may be needed due to conductive hearing loss. |
| General Rule: Always consult a physician or ENT for personalized recommendations. |
Related read: Can hearing aids cause ear infections?
Why Consulting a Physician or ENT is Essential
Before using hearing aids during an active ear infection, speak with your physician or ENT (ear, nose, and throat specialist). These professionals can evaluate your specific infection type, severity, and ear canal condition to determine if hearing aid use is advisable. Ignoring this step could delay healing or worsen the infection.
Hearing Aids and Outer Ear Infections (Otitis Externa)
| Alternate Names for Outer Ear Infections |
|---|
| Otitis Externa |
| Swimmer’s Ear |
| External Otitis |
| Ear Canal Infection |
| Outer Ear Inflammation |
With outer ear infections, it is strongly recommended to stop wearing hearing aids temporarily. These infections often require the ear to stay dry to heal properly. The presence of a hearing aid can trap moisture, promote bacterial or fungal growth, and slow recovery.
If you’re unsure whether you have an outer ear infection, watch for signs like itchiness, pain when touching the ear, drainage, or a feeling of fullness. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek professional evaluation.
See also: Can hearing aids cause ear infections?
Wearing Hearing Aids with Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infections)
| Common Names for Otitis Media |
|---|
| Middle Ear Infection |
| Acute Otitis Media |
| Chronic Otitis Media |
| Serous Otitis Media |
| Suppurative Otitis Media |
| Glue Ear |
Otitis media affects the middle ear and typically involves fluid buildup behind the eardrum. In many cases, it’s safe to continue wearing hearing aids, especially if they sit entirely in the canal or behind the ear. However, you may notice your hearing seems worse due to the temporary conductive hearing loss caused by fluid or pressure changes in the middle ear.
Adjusting Hearing Aids for Otitis Media
If you have otitis media and wear hearing aids, consult your audiologist to temporarily adjust the settings. Depending on the extent of your conductive loss, they may increase gain or modify frequency response curves to help improve speech understanding.
Not sure what an audiologist can help with? See our guide: What does an audiologist actually do?
Once the middle ear infection resolves, your audiologist can readjust the hearing aid to your original settings or schedule a new hearing test if your hearing changes persist.
Conclusion: When to Pause and When to Proceed
While it’s always best to follow your doctor’s guidance, here’s a general rule of thumb:
- Outer Ear Infections (Otitis Externa): Remove your hearing aids until the infection has fully healed.
- Middle Ear Infections (Otitis Media): You can usually wear your hearing aids, but work with your audiologist to adjust the settings for temporary changes in hearing.
As always, consult both your audiologist and physician when dealing with any ear infection. Proper care ensures your ears heal quickly and your hearing aids continue to work safely and effectively.