Allergic contact dermatitis from hearing aid ear moulds is infrequently reported. OBJECTIVES: To identify cases of allergic contact dermatitis from hearing aid moulds in a cohort of patients investigated between 2022 and 2025 at Amsterdam University Medical Center.
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
Audiologists and hearing aid dispensers should be aware of tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate and isobornyl acrylate as potential new contact allergens in ear mould materials, and consider patch testing referral for patients presenting with unexplained ear canal skin reactions.
Identifying new contact allergens in hearing aid ear moulds is directly relevant to clinical troubleshooting of device-related skin reactions and may prompt material sourcing review by manufacturers and dispensers.
- 01Two new chemicals in ear mould materials — THFMA and IBA — identified as potential contact allergens.
- 02Patients with unexplained ear canal skin reactions may be reacting to these compounds.
- 03These sensitisers were not previously documented in hearing aid ear mould literature.
- 04Patch testing for these specific chemicals should be considered in affected patients.
- 05Findings are relevant to both clinical audiologists and hearing aid manufacturers.
Tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate (THFMA) is a possible new contact allergen in hearing aid ear moulds.
studypartially supportedIsobornyl acrylate (IBA) is a possible new contact allergen in hearing aid ear moulds.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42527862
- DOI
- 10.1111/cod.70228.
- Journal
- Contact Dermatitis
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 4
- Population
- Patients with suspected allergic contact dermatitis related to hearing aid ear moulds
- Intervention
- Exposure to tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate and isobornyl acrylate in ear mould materials
Primary outcomes
Identification of allergic contact dermatitis sensitisers; Patch test reactivity to THFMA and IBA