Seidel DU, et al. - Using data from ear, nose, and throat practices in Germany from a nationwide, representative practice database, researchers explored the connection between the presence of hearing aid (HA) and the occurrence of various disorders of the external ear. A total of 20,127 patients were contrasted with 20,127 controls for HA prescriptions. For “Impacted cerumen”, “Unspecified otitis externa” and "Acute noninfective otitis externa," the highest 12-month incidences were determined. The most significant increases in risk for HA wearers were discovered for “Abscess of external ear," “Other otitis externa," and “Impacted cerumen". Among others, a smaller risk increase was found for “Cholesteatoma of external ear." The risk of developing nearly all of the diagnoses reviewed in HA wearers is significantly increased, particularly for external auditory canal (EAC) furuncle, chronic otitis externa, and impacted cerumen. This research presents the first epidemiological proof of HA as a risk factor for the unusual cholesteatoma of EAC.