Itchy ears and ear canals are a relatively common complaint among people who wear hearing aids. You’re more likely to experience this problem when you first begin wearing a hearing aid. Any time you introduce a foreign object into your ear canal, there’s the potential for skin irritation. Here are some possible reasons why your ear canals are itchy.

Are you trying to clean your ears at home? Aggressively cleansing your ear canals in an attempt to remove wax can lead to itching and irritation. Wax acts as a protective coating that shields your ear canal from bacteria and irritants. If you use a cotton swab or other object to clean your ears, which is a bad practice, you scrape away protective material that lines the ear canal called keratin. Once this material is removed, it exposes the more sensitive layer of skin underneath to irritation.

Likewise, too much wax in the ear canal or excessive moisture can cause irritation and itching. If that’s the case, schedule an appointment with your audiologist for an ear cleaning. Make sure you’re putting your hearing aids into a drying device at night to remove excess dampness and moisture. Take measures to avoid exposing your ear canals to water when you swim or shower. Remember, excessive moisture serves as a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, which can lead to an infection in your ear canal.

If you’re experiencing itchy ear canals, it may also be a sign of dry skin. It may help to place a lubricant like baby oil or olive oil in your ears, but talk to your audiologist first to make sure this won’t damage your hearing aid. To avoid contact with your hearing aid, apply lubricant only at night after taking them out.

If your hearing aids don’t fit properly, they can cause itching and irritation. Another possibility – you may be allergic to the plastic materials used to make the earmold portion of your hearing aid. These are all issues to discuss with your audiologist.