As you age, you’ve probably noticed that there is less hair where it used to be and too much of it where it shouldn’t be.
Excess ear hair may not be a comfortable topic, but it is a necessary one, because ear hair can limit the performance of your hearing aids and have negative consequences when it comes to your hearing health.
Let’s Talk About the Purpose of Ear Hair
According to Hearing Health Matters, ear hair is an essential part of protecting your ear canal from becoming blocked or developing an infection: it filters out dust and debris as well as prevents insects from entering the ear.
The problem with ear hair is the excess growth of long, thick hairs in and around the outer ear canal, which has the potential to contribute to several hearing health issues.
What type of hair are we talking about? There are two different types of ear hair found in and around the ear:
Vellus Hairs
Often called peach fuzz, these are non-pigmented, very fine hairs that grow on the outer portions of the ear. As you age, they may grow longer and thicker, but they usually don’t contribute to any hearing health issues.
Tragi Hairs
In contrast, tragi hairs, which get their name from the Latin word for goat—suggesting they are like a goat’s beard—are large, thick, and stiff terminal hairs. These hairs increase in number and become stiffer as men age, but women usually aren’t affected by them.
Could this be why older men are sometimes referred to as old goats?
Excessive Ear Hair Can Limit Hearing Aid Performance
Four fitting and performance issues can result from the excessive growth of thick tragi hairs:
1. Earwax Buildup
While you talk or chew, earwax works its way to the outer ear canal, where it falls out or can be wiped away. If it is blocked from falling out by excessive ear hair, this can lead to earwax buildup or impacted earwax, which can be painful and limit hearing aid performance.
2. Faulty or Inaccurate Ear Impressions
Taking an impression of your ear is the first step in making custom earmolds. In order to get an accurate impression for a better fit, tragi hairs must be trimmed before this can be done.
3. In-the-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids Won’t Stay In
ITE-style hearing aids often fall out or feel like they are about to fall out when thick tragi hairs are pushing against them. If you are constantly fiddling with your ITE devices or constantly readjusting them, a little trim may be the solution.
4. Improper Acoustical Seal
Whether your hearing aids came with ready-fit domes or custom tips, they need a proper acoustical seal to perform the way they are supposed to. However, excess ear hair can break that seal or prevent your hearing aid tips from sealing.
Improper sealing due to excess ear hair can also be an issue if you wear hearing protection for noise or for water sports.
Schedule a consultation to find out if excessive growth of ear hair is affecting the performance of your hearing aids.
What Can I Do About Excessive Ear Hair Growth?
Controlling excess ear hair growth plays a critical role in helping you get the most out of your hearing aids, as well as ensuring your ears stay healthy. Here are a few Dos and Don’ts for dealing with ear hair:
Proper earwax management is a critical part of maintaining ear health. While there are effective home remedies, it’s crucial to understand the dos and don’ts to avoid complications.
At Physicians Hearing Care, we are dedicated to providing professional and safe earwax removal services. If your ears are feeling a bit stuffy or you need a routine check, you can contact us by using this link, or call us at our clinic location nearest you:
Don’t Use:
Scissors with pointed tips, nail clippers, or wax that might cut or scratch the tender skin of the ear canal. Also avoid plucking them out with tweezers.
Do Use:
Round–tipped scissors or an electric ear/nose hair trimmer with a protected tip. Ask someone to help with trimming your ear hair, because you really can’t see into your own ears to ensure you’re getting it all.
Laser Removal:
If staying ahead of ear hair growth using these methods is frustrating, consider permanent laser removal. This procedure must be performed by a licensed professional and could be money well invested to help ensure that your hearing aids perform as designed.
We Are Always Here to Help With Your Hearing Aids
A more active and independent lifestyle is among the benefits of getting the best possible performance from your hearing aids.
Whether their performance is limited by excessive ear hair, earwax, moisture, damaged components, or other conditions, the hearing care professionals at Physicians Hearing Care are always here to help.
Schedule a consultation with one of our doctors or give us a call at the clinic nearest you:
Park West – Knoxville
(865) 693-6065 ext. 125
Fort Sanders – Knoxville
(865) 693-6065 ext. 280
