{"id":15340,"date":"2022-03-30T11:05:52","date_gmt":"2022-03-30T16:05:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=15340"},"modified":"2022-04-06T16:34:11","modified_gmt":"2022-04-06T21:34:11","slug":"can-earbuds-cause-ear-infection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/can-earbuds-cause-ear-infection\/","title":{"rendered":"Can earbuds cause ear infection?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether we\u2019re listening to music while working out, turning on our favorite podcast, watching online videos at 2 a.m. or taking a work call, earbuds keep us plugged into our digital world.<\/p>\n

But as much as we use earbuds, we have to wonder, \u201cDo they cause any health problems?\u201d<\/p>\n

Of course, listening to the volume too high<\/a> is a cause for concern. But in some cases, using earbuds can actually cause ear infections, as well.<\/p>\n

How can earbuds cause an ear infection?<\/h2>\n

Our ears are full of things that serve a purpose to our ear health, like bacteria, moisture and earwax. Usually, any bacteria and moisture have a chance to clear out on their own, but earbuds can stand in the way.<\/p>\n

\u201cBacteria and fungi thrive in moist, warm areas, such as the ear canal, and that\u2019s where earbuds sometimes trap moisture and fluid,\u201d said Hayley Ralph, MD<\/a>, a family medicine provider at OSF HealthCar<\/a>e.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen that happens, you\u2019re at risk for an ear infection<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Earbuds can also push earwax further into our ear canal, which can cause a buildup and is another way an infection can develop.<\/p>\n

Signs of an ear infection<\/h2>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll know you have an ear infection when you have ear pain, itching, drainage or discharge from the affected ear or hearing loss,\u201d Dr. Ralph said.<\/p>\n

\n

Learn more about ear infections.<\/p>\n

Causes, symptoms and treatments<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Other symptoms of an ear infection may include a clogged feeling in the ear, a stabbing pain from the inside of the ear and, in some cases, nausea. You may also develop a fever. Anything over 100.4 degrees is considered a fever by the American Academy of Pediatrics.<\/p>\n

\u201cExternal ear infections are treated with either topical antibiotic drops, antifungal drops or a topical steroid drop depending on the suspected underlying cause of the problem,\u201d Dr. Ralph said.<\/p>\n

Avoiding an ear infection<\/h2>\n

You can still use your earbuds to listen to all your favorite media, but Dr. Ralph has some tips for lowering your risk of getting an ear infection.<\/p>\n

No earbuds with an ear infection:<\/strong> Do not use earbuds while you have an active ear infection. You should also avoid using earbuds for several weeks after an ear infection as it can take a while to fully heal.<\/p>\n

Clean earbuds regularly:<\/strong> If you\u2019ve ever looked at your earbuds closely, you may notice that there is earwax built up on the inside. What you can\u2019t see is the other bacteria that builds up as well. To better avoid getting an ear infection because of earbuds, it\u2019s important to clean your earbuds regularly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe suggest cleaning ear devices at least once weekly with an alcohol wipe,\u201d Dr. Ralph said.<\/p>\n

Some earbud distributors sell special products to clean out your earbuds. But if you want an easier option, you can always use a screen cloth (the same kind you would use to clean a phone or computer screen) or a cotton swab.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s especially important to clean your earbuds after doing any activity that makes you sweat.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince earbuds trap moisture and fluid, this can be worse if you wear them while exercising and working up a sweat,\u201d Dr. Ralph said.<\/p>\n

Choose external headphones:<\/strong> If you want another option, try listening devices that don\u2019t go into the ear.<\/p>\n

\u201cHeadphones that sit over the outside of the ears instead of inside them may help reduce the risk of ear infections,\u201d Dr. Ralph said.<\/p>\n

Proper ear care:<\/strong> Dr. Ralph also recommends keeping your ears clean. But before you go sticking a cotton swab in your ear, she warns, \u201cStop!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey can actually cause injury to the ear canal and pack wax down deeper. If you feel or see wax at the outer of edge of your ear, you can use a clean washcloth over the tip of your finger and very gently wipe it loose,\u201d Dr. Ralph said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you suspect an earwax blockage is deeper, ask your physician for more direction on safe home treatment and removal, or they can safely remove it in the office.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Whether we\u2019re listening to music while working out, turning on our favorite podcast, watching online videos at 2 a.m. or taking a work call, earbuds keep us plugged into our digital world. But as much as we use earbuds, we have to wonder, \u201cDo they cause any health problems?\u201d Of course, listening to the volume […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":122,"featured_media":15378,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[129],"tags":[390,1098,1099,1097],"coauthors":[1051],"class_list":["post-15340","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-miscellaneous","tag-ear-infection","tag-earbuds","tag-headphones","tag-prevention"],"yoast_head":"\nCan earbuds cause ear infection?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Between bacteria, fungi, moisture, earwax and other factors, earbuds can increase your chances of having an ear infection.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/can-earbuds-cause-ear-infection\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Can earbuds cause ear infection?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Earbuds can increase your chances of getting an ear infection from various factors. 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