Anyone use a hearing aid? How do you stop them itching?

[Plipplops]

DSIS has recently got an open fit hearing aid (one with the rubber thing that goes in your ear) and it's REALLY itchy and annoying. Anyone got any tips about how to make it more comfortable?

I wear two hearing aids - open dome fit. I hate to say this, but it's really just a matter of her being patient. She just needs to persevere and she eventually won't even notice she's wearing it. Perhaps she could increase the time she's wearing them gradually to give her time to get used to them.

It may be a case of the more she feels the itch, the more she's concentrating on that feeling and that in turn makes the itch feel even worse, if you see what I mean. Could she use some kind of distraction technique perhaps?

I'm sure she will think it's worth persevering when she realised the benefits of wearing it.

She might be getting an infection. Many years ago when I first wore hearing aids I couldn't get an infection to clear up so gave up wearing aids altogether.
Recently I've bought some in-ear aids and although they are far from the magic solution that normal hearing people would think they are, at least they don't itch.

Thanks. Don't think it's an infection as it's absolutely fine when she's not wearing them, and yes your right distraction definitely helps.

She's 40(!) so will just push through, she's not on mn so I'd said I'd ask in case there was some amazing technique she'd not thought of...

I wear hearing aids but have the full ear piece not open dome. Is it possible that she is allergic to the material?

There's a couple of brands that do open fits (well many) some contain a material that can cause an allergic reaction some don't. I think it's latex but l could be wrong. Sometimes it can mean you need to change brands. Sometimes simply washing the tube and dome is enough to stop it (because there is something on the dome itself causing it).

I'd suggest she detaches the tube with dome (don't separate the dome from the tube) in the first instance and cleans it with something like a baby wipe or warm slightly soapy water. Never use anything like Milton as it damages the tubes. Do not put it back on the hearing aid until it is totally dry (leave overnight at least) as damp will damage the device.

If this doesn't work she needs to go back. Don't stick with it to the point the ear gets sore, inflamed or infected or she'll need to stop wearing it/see the G.P before they can help. A little bit of irritation because it's new is normal and will settle, if it's irritating to the point she's mentioning it to other people it's likely that she's reacting and needs to take steps.