Why Your Ears Itch

At least once every day, someone comes to the clinic and reports they have itchy ears. There are too many individual causes to list; however, there seem to be some commonalities.

Common Causes of Itchy Ears

Let’s get down to the nitty gritty on this.

Dry Skin

Perhaps the most common cause of itchy ears is dry skin. Dry skin in your ears happens frequently due to insufficient earwax production. Earwax, or cerumen for the technical-type folks reading this, is a natural lubricant for your ears. A lack of viable cerumen production can leave your ear canal dry and prone to itchiness.

Excess Earwax

Of course, there is also the problem of too much earwax production. What an odd balance that your body must create to prevent your ears from itching, right? Earwax build-up can irritate the sensitive skin of your ear canal, leading to ear discomfort.

Overcleaning

Grabbing a cotton swab and going to town on your ear canal can be easy, but ear cleaning causes dryness. The more you scratch at them, the more likely you are to itch. If you give your ears a break for two weeks, you will likely notice the itching has reduced significantly. Can’t stand that tickle-y after-shower feeling? Just wrap your little finger in a soft tissue and gently dry the outer portion of the canal. Gently, of course.

Allergies

Allergies can also cause itchiness. Conditions like allergic rhinitis, eczema, or contact dermatitis from earrings can cause inflammation and itching. Let’s not forget about Swimmer’s Ear, either. Having too much water in your ear can cause itching because of all the bacteria and fungi that come with going for a swim.

Hearing Aids

Your hearing aids could also cause itching. If you wear the type of aid with a bit of wire and dome, the dome might be the culprit. Hearing aid itchiness is common, though. We all have tiny hairs at the entrance of the ear canal, and the domes might tickle them a little. If you have had your hearing aids for over two weeks and they still cause itchiness, tell your audiologist, and she will change the size to something more comfortable.

If you wear a hearing aid that fits entirely within your ear or has a custom-molded piece, the itching may be from dirt and bacteria. Clean your mold daily with an alcohol pad and store the hearing aid in an electronic dryer with a UV light option. Keeping the earpiece scrupulously clean is one of the best itchy ear solutions.

Preventing Itchy Ears

Now that you understand the causes of itchy ears, how do you prevent them? Protection is the name of the game.

That means resisting the urge to scratch your ear canal with a cotton swab, a hairpin, or your fingers. These items might do the trick, but you also risk pushing earwax deeper into your ear canal or removing necessary earwax that’s already protecting your ear canal. If you think earwax buildup is a problem in your ear canal, that’s when to see an audiologist. A trained professional can help you in a way that protects your delicate ear health.

However, maintaining moisture balance in your ear canal is necessary. As we have said, dry ears encourage itchiness, so you may need over-the-counter drops to lubricate your ear canal. Simultaneously, protecting your ears from too much moisture from showering or swimming is necessary. After any moisture exposure, gently dry your ears with a clean towel. Don’t forget about the importance of earplugs, too!

Treating any potential allergies is another way to help in the itchy ear department. If you are allergic to earrings, hearing aids, or anything else that encounters your ears, switch to hypoallergenic alternatives or contact your audiologist.

When to See a Professional

If your itchy ears have become a significant problem over several days or weeks, it’s time to book an appointment with a doctor or audiologist.

Itchy ears can come with other symptoms such as pain, discharge, hearing loss, or the feeling of fullness in your ear. You could be dealing with an infection, earwax blockage, or an underlying skin condition worsening the problem.

If the itchiness is severe enough to disrupt your daily activities like sleeping, a hearing team can help restore your life. Don’t let yourself suffer because of anxiety or the thought that it’ll just go away on its own.

FAQs

We get plenty of questions about itchy ears. Here are a few of them:

What Causes Itchy Ears?

Dryness in the inner ear canal, excess wax build-up, allergies, or an underlying infection may cause your ears to itch.

How Can I Prevent My Ears from Itching?

Early intervention remains key in most medical problems, including itchy ears. That’s why you must help your ears stay lubricated if your ear canal is prone to drying or drying your ears with a clean towel after showering or swimming.

When Should I See a Professional for Itchy Ears?

If itchy ears persist over days, contact a medical expert immediately. You could be dealing with a more significant problem than you realize.

Evaluate Your Ear Health with Vibrant Hearing Today!

Vibrant Hearing is patients’ choice across the Missoula, MT, area. Contact us today to become our next patient and schedule your first appointment. We handle everything from hearing aids to hearing tests and even itchy ears. We’d love to be the team that helps you find the solution to any of your hearing problems.