We’ve all had that itch that seemed impossible to reach.
You may think about this in a couple of different ways: First, you think about something you always wanted to do with your life but so far you haven’t got around to (skydiving, for instance). Or, if you’re a bit less of a romantic, you consider that spot on your back that you just can’t quite reach.
That’s sort of a terrible experience, right? Desperately attempting to scratch that itchy spot on your back. That’s why we created back-scratchers.
Regrettably, when you have an itchy ear, there’s no device to get at it. No matter how hard you try, you just can’t reach up into your ear canal where it’s itching. If you’re ear itches in this way, it’s even more aggravating than that spot on your back.
Your daily life can be affected by itchy ears
It may sound like a minor problem, superficially. It’s just itchy ears, right? At least you aren’t in terrible pain.
But think about it: Your ear is itchy, and you can’t do anything about it. If it occurs from time to time, sure, it’s not that big of a problem. But if your ears are itchy all the time? You could find yourself, and your quality of life, significantly affected.
Perhaps you stay home and stop interacting with friends. Or perhaps you try to overwhelm the sensation by listening to excessively loud music.
It sucks. But treatments and solutions do exist. Knowing what’s causing your itchy ears is the first step to discovering an appropriate treatment.
So what causes your ears to itch?
So what’s the cause of that itch? And what can be done about it? The solution for itching ears is going to differ depending on the root cause. Your ears may be being impacted by many underlying causes, as with most medical conditions. Here are some of the most prevalent:
- Improper hearing aid fitting: Your hearing aids should fit in your ears snugly. This will create the best results and the best sound. But this snug fit can lead to irritation and itchiness when your hearing aids don’t fit correctly. This, in turn, can cause you to stop wearing your hearing aids as frequently, and that can be detrimental to your hearing. Making an appointment with us for a proper fitting is the answer. We might even be able to mold your hearing aid so it fits your ear better.
- You have an earwax blockage: If your ears are generating a substantial amount of wax, that’s not abnormal. You may be surprised to find out that wax is actually cleaning your ears. But there are a number of reasons why blockages can form. One thing you should stop doing right away is using cotton swabs to “clean” your ears. We can, in any case, help you get rid of any earwax difficulties. So making an appointment can help give you some relief.
- Allergies: Allergies are challenging, and it’s not unusual for them to cause itching. In some instances, an over-the-counter allergy medication, like an antihistamine, can relieve itching due to allergies. It can be hard to pin down, sometimes, precisely what you’re allergic to. But itchy ears can be caused by a large number of allergens, including pollen. Itchy ears could easily come from your spring hay fever. An allergist will be the right place to look for a solution to this.
- Skin disorders: Some skin disorders can, occasionally, cause itching that is difficult to get at. There’s even a disorder called ear dandruff that can occur. Your doctor will be able to help you understand what your solutions are. It isn’t exactly simple to smear your ear canal with moisturizer, after all, nor would we ever suggest you try. Once again, your provider will be the best person to help you treat skin conditions that trigger itchy ears!
- Ear infections: That’s right, the source of your itchy ears can be a regular ear infection. Ear infections can arise at any age but happen more frequently when you’re younger. Ear infection can cause fluid buildup in your ear. In addition, the tissues inside of your ears can begin to swell (thank you, inflammation). Together, this can result in trapped fluid, irritated tissue, and very itchy ears. The solution is to speak with your doctor and address the root infection. Your ears will usually stop itching when the infection goes away.
Getting treatment for your itchy ears, and comfort
Itchy ears can take the pleasure out of just about anything. Finding the right treatment, and getting lasting relief can be absolutely life changing. If you try to simply wait it out, you will most likely prolong your suffering because it isn’t likely that the itching will go away on its own.
If you decide that your itchy ears are driving you crazy, make an appointment with us so you can stop focusing on the itch, and get back to the normal, everyday activities you enjoy.