18 replies to this topic

[Nexus]

Hi, I'm just wondering if anyone else here has had ear infections as a result of vaping.

A while ago, my ears got clogged up and I had to get them waxed. I used to put loads of olive oil in my ears to soften it.

Anyhoo, after getting them waxed I've had all kinds of problems, I've had several different ear drops and antibiotics.

Then I went to see an ENT specialist at the hospital, and they found out that I have a fungal ear infection and was prescribed anti fungal ear drops.

I've noticed that when I vape, I sometimes get this weird throbbing/ twitching sensation in my left ear. But I also read that cigarette smoke is to be avoided in the case of ear infections.

This is driving me crazy, as I really don't know what the cause of all this is. I am allergic to certain liquids, but have avoided those now.

It's also driving me mad because I do video editing and production for my friends band so I have to wear headphones. I bloody love my headphones. Use them for music and watching films on my PC as well as my career (which is obviously self employed lol).

So I'm just wondering, has anyone else had this? any problems with ear infections from vaping? Bearing in mind I've been vaping for ages now and most of this occurred when I had yet another ear infection/build up of wax, and had to get them syringed (and it's the first time I've had them syringed too).

I'd like to bring it up with my ENT specialist, but I know their response is gonna be 'you buy it off the internet?? Stay away from it!!'

I REALLY don't want to give up vaping and go back on fags, I haven't had any in ages and when I did on a night out I was almost sick.

I've tried giving up smoking so many times, but simply couldn't do it. I used to be a heavy smoker, vaping has saved my life.

I'm just wondering if it's the liquid/ juice that goes through the sinuses and effects the ears, which is obviously moist, and one of the most common form of ear infections is when you get loads of water stuck in them (swimmers ear).

feedback would be appreciated thanks, as I've had this problem for MONTHS now and I just want my ears to get back to normal, so I can use my darn headphones!

[Buckfasterfullerine]

How often do you sterilise your headphones?

[Digisatman]

It sounds to me it's not vaping that causing your ear problems, but your headphones, they not allowing the air to circulate causing the inner ear to sweat thus damp then infections.

Edited by Digisatman, 25 September 2011 - 05:16 PM.

[Nexus]

Well, their pretty new and I own a different number of them. I even ordered some fairly cheap ones (koss porta pro) and still had the same problem, so I don't think it's the headphones themselves.

How do you sterilise headphones?

Digisman, do you think I should stay away from them until they've healed? I've always used headphones and never had an infection as long as this before...

Have to see an ENT specialist again in ten days, using the drops, maybe then they'll recover (I hope!)

Edited by Nexus, 25 September 2011 - 05:24 PM.

[DaveK]

I've not heard or read of any connections between vaping and ear infections before - but I'm no doctor. I think I'd probably ask a doctor though if you think there may be a link.

[Kenny]

Well I am not a doctor but I would be very surprised that vaping could be the cause of your ear infection.

[Dellboy]

When I used to be a musician I would have to get my ears syringed every so often. For me listening to loud music for long periods of time would induce my ears to produce more wax.

It sounds like you've been doing the same and this could have induced the initial wax build up.

Now here's where the problems can start, because after having your ears syringed your ears are very sensitive and vulnerable to infection. After all there natural protection has just been washed off them. I would recommend absolutely no loud music or noise for the first week preferably two.

Headphones two can cause problems during this period - loud music and a very direct sound even if you turn them down. Also your ears will have restricted air flow in and around them any sweat will build up creating ideal conditions for fungus to grow.

I think this probably has little or nothing to do with vaping, all I can really suggest is that you take and extended break from loud music and head phones until your ears are fully back to normal. Probably not what you wanna hear but you really need to be carefull with your hearing, you really don't wanna lose it.

I have a bunch of mates with hearing problems of one sort or another. All of them been as a direct result of been in the music game and abusing their ears for extended periods of time.

Take care and good luck.

I am not a doctor so I have no clue on how to clear up you infections - I would be inclined to tell your ENT specialist that you vape. Many doctors are just happy you don't smoke any more.

[hifistud]

Thrush of the luggole (my term for it) is endemic in the headphone-wearing industries - I'm going through a dose of it now myself. Usually clears up with the right drops and keeping your fingers out. If you get a dose after a syringing, the answer is to turn it all down and run at <85dB - reduces the wax production something amazing, which, in turn, keeps the syringing at bay.

And antibiotic/antiseptic wipes on the cans at the end of every day's use is almost mandatory, even if there's only you uses 'em.

[chillimont]

I use a tiny bit of hydrocortisone cream on a cotton bud and have a light waggle in/wipe around (my ears) now and again. I spend a LOT of time in headphones and this seems to work. I'm NOT recommending that you try it...just mentioning what I do. Also, I wonder if this sort of device would be any good for headphones? Disinfecting UV Scanner

[Nexus]

Thanks everyone for the feedback, I was expecting this much!

I did hear (lol) that the ears can be quite sensitive after being syringed, I don't have any hearing loss, it's just that this infection has lasted me for absolute ages (there is a chance the fungus could have grown from the antibiotics which contains penicillin) I was just wondering if this was from vaping or not, as it's never happened before.

I was also using them when I had drops in my ear, probably didn't help much!

Tool, you seem to know alot about this, how long did it take you roughly before you were back to using phones? It's effecting my career!

[Dellboy]

Well after I'd just had my ears syringed I'd take a week off completely - no head phones - no music. Sometimes abstinence is easier than moderation. Just quiet TV and acoustic bass. The next week I'd do the play quiet thing and listen to quiet music ( well loud music played quietly ) - Head phones limited to two 30min sessions per day. Then as the week when on just build back up slowly.

Things like staying out the rain and cold too, wear that woolly hat that ya mum knitted you and that you wouldn't be seen dead it, if it's cold out - that first week you gotta be real careful. I suppose I was lucky in that knowing so many peeps with various ear disorders, it made me slightly paranoid about looking after mine.

I never had any problems because I was so careful. Sometimes spending a boring, frustrating 2 weeks is the best way to avoid a boring, frustrating 6months or even a lifetime.

My advice would be to put your ears on maximum care - minimum abuse until your absolutely sure they are back to normal. It's gonna be real hard I know but it could be a lot harder if you don't.

Things like doing everything your doctor tells you to get the infections cleared up. Finishing any medication courses your on. Taking tablets and ear drops exactly when your suppose to.

It isn't very rock'n'roll all this, god only knows I would abuse myself in every other way imaginable, but when it came to ear care I suddenly became monk like. You really need to do the same.

The other thing I would suggest, if you can afford it, is to buy an really good set of speakers and amp Get them set up nicely at your work place and positioned nicely etc, so that some of your work can be done without the cans.

You know this already but I'm gonna say it anyway. Your ears are your life and your career, they are the most important thing you own, they are unreplaceable, you can not afford to fuck them up!

I really hate to advice any kind of moderation in life and I'm sorry if my post sounds too preachy.

[hifistud]

Having spent over 40 years in the music game, and knowing the value of your luggoles I'd echo what Dellboy has said and multiply it by two. I know a few folks who have done that "if it's too loud you're too soft" routine and whose staple of conversation is now "what? eh? Missed that!".

[Willowfaery]

hifistud, on 26 September 2011 - 09:41 AM, said:

Having spent over 40 years in the music game, and knowing the value of your luggoles I'd echo what Dellboy has said and multiply it by two. I know a few folks who have done that "if it's too loud you're too soft" routine and whose staple of conversation is now "what? eh? Missed that!".

I would also like to bang this point home to you...

As one of those people with hearing problems, let me tell you it isn't much fun having to say "Pardon", "Please can you repeat that" "Sorry,I didn't catch that" etc etc etc

Don't make the mistake, once your hearing is gone, it will not return. I get frustrated with it and so does everyone around me.... Don't do it.

[Nexus]

Dellboy, on 26 September 2011 - 04:34 AM, said:

Well after I'd just had my ears syringed I'd take a week off completely - no head phones - no music. Sometimes abstinence is easier than moderation. Just quiet TV and acoustic bass. The next week I'd do the play quiet thing and listen to quiet music ( well loud music played quietly ) - Head phones limited to two 30min sessions per day. Then as the week when on just build back up slowly.

Things like staying out the rain and cold too, wear that woolly hat that ya mum knitted you and that you wouldn't be seen dead it, if it's cold out - that first week you gotta be real careful. I suppose I was lucky in that knowing so many peeps with various ear disorders, it made me slightly paranoid about looking after mine.

I never had any problems because I was so careful. Sometimes spending a boring, frustrating 2 weeks is the best way to avoid a boring, frustrating 6months or even a lifetime.

My advice would be to put your ears on maximum care - minimum abuse until your absolutely sure they are back to normal. It's gonna be real hard I know but it could be a lot harder if you don't.

Things like doing everything your doctor tells you to get the infections cleared up. Finishing any medication courses your on. Taking tablets and ear drops exactly when your suppose to.

It isn't very rock'n'roll all this, god only knows I would abuse myself in every other way imaginable, but when it came to ear care I suddenly became monk like. You really need to do the same.

The other thing I would suggest, if you can afford it, is to buy an really good set of speakers and amp Get them set up nicely at your work place and positioned nicely etc, so that some of your work can be done without the cans.

You know this already but I'm gonna say it anyway. Your ears are your life and your career, they are the most important thing you own, they are unreplaceable, you can not afford to fuck them up!

I really hate to advice any kind of moderation in life and I'm sorry if my post sounds too preachy.

No that's fine mate, I really appreciate that. You obviously seem to care alot because you've gone into so much detail about the do's and don'ts and very intelligent about it.

Personally, I blame the time when I had my ears syringed, something rather strange has happened to them. The first woman was fine, knew what she was doing, the second one was drilling away but couldn't find anything.

Ever since I've had this weird problem, and the reason I mention vaping is because sometimes I do come out in hives, and I was just wondering if these hives can spread into the ears, as it now hurts a bit when I vape.

It's strange you should mention the speaker amp thing, cuz a few days ago I ordered some PC speakers that cost 80 quid.

http://www.amazon.co...ref=oss_product


That's gonna make me skint for some time.

I do get itchy from time to time when I vape, so that's why I'm concerned if it's spread into the sinuses, as I don't have any other allergies. I really should give up vaping to be on the safe side, but don't want to resort to cancer sticks again.

It really is strange, as I have never had this problem before, I'm not sure if it's a.) The syringing. b.) The antibiotics or c.) the vaping.

To the other guys, thanks for the input but I'm not actually suffering from hearing loss, this is about infections! I'm very careful with phones and have used them ever since I was a kid, never had infections like this before!

[hifistud]

Yeah - the infections and the hearing loss go together - like I say, after 40 years of it, and looking after my ears almost to the point of OCD, I've had more than my fair share of experience of ear-related shenannigans. Loud and consistent noise does contribute massively towards creating the perfect environment for fungal infections in the ear and ear canal... and there's a reason why I call it thrush of the luggole (cos that's basically what it is - surprisingly, canesten can work wonders!) - itchy, often delivering an exudation... you get the drift...

It is, though, controllable and sortable - anti-fungal agents and such do the biz, coupled with good hygiene in headphones and sensible monitoring levels.

[Nexus]

hifistud, on 26 September 2011 - 01:24 PM, said:

Yeah - the infections and the hearing loss go together - like I say, after 40 years of it, and looking after my ears almost to the point of OCD, I've had more than my fair share of experience of ear-related shenannigans. Loud and consistent noise does contribute massively towards creating the perfect environment for fungal infections in the ear and ear canal... and there's a reason why I call it thrush of the luggole (cos that's basically what it is - surprisingly, canesten can work wonders!) - itchy, often delivering an exudation... you get the drift...

It is, though, controllable and sortable - anti-fungal agents and such do the biz, coupled with good hygiene in headphones and sensible monitoring levels.

Canesten ear drops are just what I've been using! It's been about a month now, what concerns me is there hasn't been that much improvement....

By the way, how do you keep headphones clean, not the outer pads but the drivers themselves?

Thank you for your reply.

Edited by Nexus, 26 September 2011 - 01:43 PM.

[chillimont]

I ordered one of these yesterday... My link If it does 'what it says on the tin' it should be suitable for killing bacteria on the drivers as well as the pads.

[hifistud]

Nexus, on 26 September 2011 - 01:40 PM, said:

hifistud, on 26 September 2011 - 01:24 PM, said:

Yeah - the infections and the hearing loss go together - like I say, after 40 years of it, and looking after my ears almost to the point of OCD, I've had more than my fair share of experience of ear-related shenannigans. Loud and consistent noise does contribute massively towards creating the perfect environment for fungal infections in the ear and ear canal... and there's a reason why I call it thrush of the luggole (cos that's basically what it is - surprisingly, canesten can work wonders!) - itchy, often delivering an exudation... you get the drift...

It is, though, controllable and sortable - anti-fungal agents and such do the biz, coupled with good hygiene in headphones and sensible monitoring levels.

Canesten ear drops are just what I've been using! It's been about a month now, what concerns me is there hasn't been that much improvement....

By the way, how do you keep headphones clean, not the outer pads but the drivers themselves?

Thank you for your reply.

Well, firstly, nobody - NOBODY - but me EVER wears my edit cans. Never. It's a capital offence! And I wipe 'em down with a biocidal swab once a week and leave it over each muff overnight. Seems to do the job.

[Glamredhel]

My wife thinks I've got cloth ears because I'm a bit partial to The Partisans