title: Allergic contact dermatitis from hearing aid materials.
abstract: A 65-year-old woman presented with dermatitis of the ear canal. The dermatitis had developed after she started wearing hearing aids that fit into the ear canals. Patch-test results were positive for (1) several acrylics, including polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, which were present in the hearing aid shell; (2) the hearing aid shell materials; and (3) the finish coat. The dermatitis resolved after she discontinued wearing the hearing aid, and a device with a silicone earpiece to be worn behind the ear was recommended as an alternative.
authors.affiliation: Section of Industrial Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Apra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sood
authors.forename: James S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004424:Ear Canal; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010328:Patch Tests
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D008689:Methacrylates