Allergic to hearing aid plastic tubing.

Thank you so much Lathyrus for that explanation. Actually the NHS moulds would probably do for me as I don’t need extra high tech stuff. If you don’t have wires to attach to the aid is it dependant on wi fi / Bluetooth? Sorry to be so thick.
Also teabagwoman thank you for the suggestion about Cavillon cream. I am certainly going to ask about that as I was wondering if I could form some barrier with a cream of some kind. The wire starts at the top of my ear, trails part way down and the into my ear together with an extra length which sits inside to keep the aid secure. The result is a patch of skin that starts at the top and continues down which is red, rough and sheds skin. The inside of the ear is patchy dry skin. Had this for ages but kept thinking it was eczema or old age.

I’ve had mine for about 7 years now but my hearing loss doesn’t really change that much. You can’t lose what you never had😬

I could have had NHS ones made to fit but I paid £2000 for these because they do extra high tech stuff.

It sounds a lot but for me it was worth it not just for the extra but because it comes with a guarantee and high speed repair service.

I know my case is a bit different to yours but I thought you’d like to know what’s out there😁

I had a lot of problems because I was allergic to the dressings that I needed to keep a central line, for chemo, in place. I was given Cavillon cream to put on the skin first as a barrier, and it worked. Would something like that work for you?

Thank you Lathyrus. That is helpful. Are they expensive? How long before they need renewing?My NHS ones are renewed every three years when my hearing is retested. I wear my hair over my ears and my NHS ones are small and really good. This problem is so unexpected as the thin acrylic wiring seems so unlikely.

They are moulded to your individual ear shape Lovetopaint, so they don’t fall out.

I have had hearing loss since childhood, back in the days of boxes and wires 😬 and these made to fit aids are a dream come true😁

Hetty58

I have hypoallergenic plasters on my reading glasses (where they rest on my nose and cheeks) to prevent 'glasses rash'. It looks strange but I'm comfortable. Perhaps you could enclose the tubing in a similar way - to stop any skin contact?

I have been wondering if this is possible Hetty. Thank you.
Lathyrus I think I know what you are talking about but I have had no luck with ear buds as the ones I have tried just fall out.
I fancied blue tooth and although they came with alternative heads no way could I stop one of them falling out as the shape of the ears just wouldn’t accommodate it and the other led a precarious existence. I tried the Apple ones that arrived with a phone but again they kept slipping. I don’t think anything like that would last long and as they would cost a few thousands it would be a stressful situation. Thank you both.

I have hypoallergenic plasters on my reading glasses (where they rest on my nose and cheeks) to prevent 'glasses rash'. It looks strange but I'm comfortable. Perhaps you could enclose the tubing in a similar way - to stop any skin contact?

Get the hearing aids that fit neatly in the ear without tubing of any kind?

Been to Specsavers this morning and told that unfortunately it is not possible to have any other tubing as even private hearing aids are the same. The dome that goes into the ear is hypoallergenic as is the hearing aid but the tubing is thought to be acrylic. I will have to wait for the testing appointment and take the tubing with me. What a mystery. Can’t believe acrylic would cause trouble. I’ve been using acrylic paints of various kinds for over thirty years and never experienced any adverse reaction.

Just hope I don’t have to pay to have anti allergic plastic wiring.
The NHS hearing aids have been fine and suit me best. Prefer the battery system. No extra charging unit to take away and batteries so easy to carry. They update them regularly while private charge.

Thank you bohemian and Franbern. That is encouraging as beginning to think they will be trying to talk me into expensive hearing aids.while these NHS ones work well.

Yes, my SiL cannot wear normal NHS hearing aids due to allergies. Never had any problems with getting suitable ones.

Many years ago I was issued non allergy hearing aids after the same problem as you describe (an allergy to the plastic tubing). Since the change over I've had no problem with the aids I wear. I can't remember if it was Specsavers, but there is such a thing as non allergy hearing aids, just ask Specsavers