Hearing Impaired World - Prone to Ear Infections?

SuziMaria · 06-01-2007, 05:59 AM

I feel that I am prone to painful ear infections a several times a year.

Last weekend I felt my teeth and mouth hurting and I thought "oh great
a toothache!" Then by Monday I knew it was my right ear bothering me.
By Wed I went to the emergency room because it's closer to home and
I borrowed my son's sports car to drive as mine is in the shop getting
repairs. Well the treatment that I got from the doctor and his assist.
is "this is not an emergency and you need to reach your private doctor."
I got a prescribtion for ear drops and a strange pain medicine (if you suffer
heart attacts or failure do not take) along with a note saying if I get
worse to call this doctor back. By Thurs I called my E, N, T specialist
an hour away and asked if I can walk in instead of appointment because
I didn't know what time my car would be ready. Very nice and professional
"yes you can come in anytime before 3:30 as the doctor is leaving for the
day after this time." OK, got my car and headed straight for his office.
He put in a drain, gave me a shot in my hip, pain medicine - Loratabs, stronger ear drops and antibodics which I didnt get from the ER.
He said the ear drops were not strong enough to handle my infection.
Plus a follow-up appt next week.

Have anyone you used the white vingear and alcohol mixture?
Do you think the ear molds prevent complete dry out after a shower?
Is it common for HOH people to get ear infections offen?

deafskeptic · 06-01-2007, 04:59 PM

Well, I rarely ever get ear infections.

sequoias · 06-01-2007, 05:09 PM

Not all deaf people are prone to Ear infections. I don't have that problem since for years. I mostly had that when I was a child.

Silentwolfdog · 06-01-2007, 05:43 PM

Have anyone you used the white vingear and alcohol mixture? Yes I did, I have to. It works after all it's natural chemical that kills bacteria.

I had problem with ear infections when I was younger. My outer ears are quite different than average (nothing to do with deafness) so my ears can't dry out fast when water get in it. I even remember my doctor saying I had some sand in my ear, probably from swimming in ocean. So everything goes in my ear easily but they can't come out that easily.

I can see hearing aid play some factor in blocking water from vaporizing faster. So let your ear dry a little before put on hearing aid if possible.

I remember one ear infection I had was so bad that I cringe from being in a lot of pain. Never want to go through that again.

Just make sure you dry your ear properly and clean your ear often if you are type that get infection from time to time.

I don't have problem with ear infection anymore as long as I take care of it.

I got a question, do you swim a lot?
Do you go to bed after you shower with your hair still wet?

Those two can play a factor in you getting an ear infection.

I feel for you, man. I hate them.

sr171soars · 06-01-2007, 10:05 PM

To answer your questions...it depends really on the person.

Some do and some don't get infections often. Often the culprit is the mold blocking whatever moisture in the ear from "airing" out.

I think I have tried the white vinegar and alcohol solution centuries ago. It seemed to work pretty good.

jillio · 06-02-2007, 12:55 PM

Correct on allthe posts. It really depends on the individuals anatomy. And the white viegar soution does work. I used it for my son when he was small. He tended toward ear infections, but it really had nothing to do with the reason he was also deaf. He just loved the water, and I coudn't keep him out of the swimming pool and the lake! Guess maybe the earmolds could have held more moisture in the ear canal, though.

Dixie · 06-02-2007, 10:52 PM

Ive nly had one ear infection in my life that i can remember. painful and I rode it out without seeing a dr. Never do that again, I ended up majorly screwing up my hearing in my right ear, the one I am not deaf in. After I recovered from the EI - my hearing seriously dropped off.

shel90 · 06-03-2007, 09:35 AM

I have an ear infection now...painless though but still everytime I put my HA in, it builds up so fast and I end up not being able to hear well in that ear. GRRRRR

Hear Again · 06-05-2007, 10:23 PM

I don't know whether or not HOH people are more prone to ear infections, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were given the fact that earmolds can cause ear infections.

I've had many ear infections from infancy until 2 years ago. (Knock on wood I haven't had an ear infection since.) Not fun.

Have you tried using a skeleton earmold? (as opposed to a full-shell) A skeleton earmold is made in such a way that it lines the outer part of the ear allowing air to circulate.

A full-shell earmold does not permit this and may cause more ear infections to occur.

Also, what kind of hearing aids do you wear? ITE (in-the-ear)? CIC (completely in canal)? BTE (behind-the-ear)? This may also have something to do with the number of ear infections one experiences. This is only my assumption, but I would think that ITEs and CICs would have the potential to cause ear infections since they sit directly in the ear canal where wax can build up.

Hear Again · 06-05-2007, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dixie

Ive nly had one ear infection in my life that i can remember. painful and I rode it out without seeing a dr. Never do that again, I ended up majorly screwing up my hearing in my right ear, the one I am not deaf in. After I recovered from the EI - my hearing seriously dropped off.

I can remember the time I had an ear infection that started out with mild pain, but progressively got worse. I was staying at a friend's house for a week and didn't think much about the ear infection until the pain got so bad I could no longer ignore it. At one point, my friend and I were in the middle of a conversation when I suddenly felt this excrutiating pain that I'll never forget. My friend knew I had an ear infection and asked me if I wanted to go the the emergency room. I refused thinking that the ear infection would get better on its own. It didn't. The next time I visited my ENT, he told me I had a hole in my eardrum because it had ruptured. That wouldn't have happened if I had seen a doctor sooner. Fortunately the hole healed on its own and never caused me any problems. I don't write this to scare anyone -- only to advise that you see a doctor at the slightest twinge of pain. Don't wait until it's too late like I did.

SuziMaria · 06-07-2007, 08:23 AM

I think water is my enemy. Sometimes after a shower and I get dress
quickly to run out the door to work which is bad for my ears. I do not
swim, or rather I never get my head wet because I know I won't be
able to wear the HA to socialize after playing in the water. I've never
been told that I have swimmers ear, just that mold prevents air to pentrate
for complete dryness.

I agree to never avoid pain you are having in your ears. We care about
our hearing or whats left of it so must take care of it quickly. My infections
usually start near my teeth or like sinus area then progressively the ear will
swell and with pain. Emergency physicans really do not know the in-depth of
ear infections and if you can, see your E, N, T specialist right away - this is
from my experience.

Im wearing BTE digital Oticon and full shell mold in both ears. Thanks for
the feedback on the vinegar/alcohol and I will make up a solution today.
Suzi

***VamPyroX*** · 06-07-2007, 10:53 AM

I've never had ear infections and have always had clean ears.

I use Q-tips daily and wash out my ears daily when I shower.

What about you?

AliciaM · 06-09-2007, 11:51 PM

i've been prone to ear infections since i was little...i've ruptured my ear drum on my right twice and i have really bad tinnitus, but worse in my right as well..i still get ear infections but not as often..i also have very clean ears and really small ear drums...all my ear drum probs and infections is prolly why have worse hearing in my right ear lol

Hear Again · 06-11-2007, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VamPyroX

I've never had ear infections and have always had clean ears.

I use Q-tips daily and wash out my ears daily when I shower.

What about you?

I've been instructed by my ENTs not to wash out my ears because in my case, water increases my chances for infection. I've had ear infections since infancy, so I don't think they were always caused by not having clean ears. That being said, ever since I turned 18 I made it a habit to see my ENT every month (still do) so he can clean my ears. Interestingly enough, I haven't had an ear infection during the 2 years I've had my CIs. Go figure. Not that I'm complaining...

06-01-2007, 05:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
SuziMaria Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 344	Hearing Impaired World - Prone to Ear Infections? I feel that I am prone to painful ear infections a several times a year. Last weekend I felt my teeth and mouth hurting and I thought "oh great a toothache!" Then by Monday I knew it was my right ear bothering me. By Wed I went to the emergency room because it's closer to home and I borrowed my son's sports car to drive as mine is in the shop getting repairs. Well the treatment that I got from the doctor and his assist. is "this is not an emergency and you need to reach your private doctor." I got a prescribtion for ear drops and a strange pain medicine (if you suffer heart attacts or failure do not take) along with a note saying if I get worse to call this doctor back. By Thurs I called my E, N, T specialist an hour away and asked if I can walk in instead of appointment because I didn't know what time my car would be ready. Very nice and professional "yes you can come in anytime before 3:30 as the doctor is leaving for the day after this time." OK, got my car and headed straight for his office. He put in a drain, gave me a shot in my hip, pain medicine - Loratabs, stronger ear drops and antibodics which I didnt get from the ER. He said the ear drops were not strong enough to handle my infection. Plus a follow-up appt next week. Have anyone you used the white vingear and alcohol mixture? Do you think the ear molds prevent complete dry out after a shower? Is it common for HOH people to get ear infections offen?

06-01-2007, 04:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
deafskeptic AAACCK! I got BORGED! Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,450	Well, I rarely ever get ear infections. __________________ Left ear implanted with Med-El on April 24 2007. Activated on May 9th.

06-01-2007, 05:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
sequoias Subaru rules! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: The Evergreen State Posts: 12,771	Not all deaf people are prone to Ear infections. I don't have that problem since for years. I mostly had that when I was a child. __________________

06-01-2007, 05:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
Silentwolfdog a toku fangirl Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 702	Have anyone you used the white vingear and alcohol mixture? Yes I did, I have to. It works after all it's natural chemical that kills bacteria. I had problem with ear infections when I was younger. My outer ears are quite different than average (nothing to do with deafness) so my ears can't dry out fast when water get in it. I even remember my doctor saying I had some sand in my ear, probably from swimming in ocean. So everything goes in my ear easily but they can't come out that easily. I can see hearing aid play some factor in blocking water from vaporizing faster. So let your ear dry a little before put on hearing aid if possible. I remember one ear infection I had was so bad that I cringe from being in a lot of pain. Never want to go through that again. Just make sure you dry your ear properly and clean your ear often if you are type that get infection from time to time. I don't have problem with ear infection anymore as long as I take care of it. I got a question, do you swim a lot? Do you go to bed after you shower with your hair still wet? Those two can play a factor in you getting an ear infection. I feel for you, man. I hate them. __________________ If you are using red or blue font, there's a good chance that I am not reading your posts due to it being blended into background! I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night. ~Sarah William Check my art at http://silentwolfdog.deviantart.com

06-01-2007, 10:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
sr171soars Cyborg since March '05 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 2,376	To answer your questions...it depends really on the person. Some do and some don't get infections often. Often the culprit is the mold blocking whatever moisture in the ear from "airing" out. I think I have tried the white vinegar and alcohol solution centuries ago. It seemed to work pretty good. __________________ But trailing clouds of glory till He comes... Foolishness is not a virtue

Today
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06-02-2007, 12:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
jillio Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,194	Correct on allthe posts. It really depends on the individuals anatomy. And the white viegar soution does work. I used it for my son when he was small. He tended toward ear infections, but it really had nothing to do with the reason he was also deaf. He just loved the water, and I coudn't keep him out of the swimming pool and the lake! Guess maybe the earmolds could have held more moisture in the ear canal, though.

06-02-2007, 10:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dixie Hooray its November! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 4,199	Ive nly had one ear infection in my life that i can remember. painful and I rode it out without seeing a dr. Never do that again, I ended up majorly screwing up my hearing in my right ear, the one I am not deaf in. After I recovered from the EI - my hearing seriously dropped off. __________________ Visit my Deaf Blog Signature banner created by me, please do not steal!

06-03-2007, 09:35 AM	#8 (permalink)
shel90 Sun Whorshipper Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: A Desert Rat that has found herself in Maryland Posts: 16,119 Blog Entries: 1	I have an ear infection now...painless though but still everytime I put my HA in, it builds up so fast and I end up not being able to hear well in that ear. GRRRRR __________________ ~Shel~ "A child educated only at school is an uneducated child." -George Santayana

06-05-2007, 10:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
Hear Again Proud Beeper/5150 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin and my own little manic world... Posts: 7,302	I don't know whether or not HOH people are more prone to ear infections, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were given the fact that earmolds can cause ear infections. I've had many ear infections from infancy until 2 years ago. (Knock on wood I haven't had an ear infection since.) Not fun. Have you tried using a skeleton earmold? (as opposed to a full-shell) A skeleton earmold is made in such a way that it lines the outer part of the ear allowing air to circulate. A full-shell earmold does not permit this and may cause more ear infections to occur. Also, what kind of hearing aids do you wear? ITE (in-the-ear)? CIC (completely in canal)? BTE (behind-the-ear)? This may also have something to do with the number of ear infections one experiences. This is only my assumption, but I would think that ITEs and CICs would have the potential to cause ear infections since they sit directly in the ear canal where wax can build up. __________________ Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE (Implanted: 12/22/04 \| Activated: 1/18/05) Right ear - Nucleus Freedom (Implanted: 2/1/06 \| Activated: 3/1/06) Deafblind/Postlingual What is bipolar disorder? What are the different types of bipolar disorder? "All things are difficult before they are easy." -- Thomas Fuller

06-07-2007, 08:23 AM	#11 (permalink)
SuziMaria Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 344	I think water is my enemy. Sometimes after a shower and I get dress quickly to run out the door to work which is bad for my ears. I do not swim, or rather I never get my head wet because I know I won't be able to wear the HA to socialize after playing in the water. I've never been told that I have swimmers ear, just that mold prevents air to pentrate for complete dryness. I agree to never avoid pain you are having in your ears. We care about our hearing or whats left of it so must take care of it quickly. My infections usually start near my teeth or like sinus area then progressively the ear will swell and with pain. Emergency physicans really do not know the in-depth of ear infections and if you can, see your E, N, T specialist right away - this is from my experience. Im wearing BTE digital Oticon and full shell mold in both ears. Thanks for the feedback on the vinegar/alcohol and I will make up a solution today. Suzi

06-07-2007, 10:53 AM	#12 (permalink)
*VamPyroX* bloody phreak from hell Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Hell Posts: 27,844	I've never had ear infections and have always had clean ears. I use Q-tips daily and wash out my ears daily when I shower. What about you? __________________ Check out my city... CLICK HERE! (If you already visited yesterday, visit again today!)

06-09-2007, 11:51 PM	#13 (permalink)
AliciaM Lil Italian/Jamaican Chic Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 937	i've been prone to ear infections since i was little...i've ruptured my ear drum on my right twice and i have really bad tinnitus, but worse in my right as well..i still get ear infections but not as often..i also have very clean ears and really small ear drums...all my ear drum probs and infections is prolly why have worse hearing in my right ear lol __________________ Alicia Phonak ha user

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