I wanted to give everyone a quick reminder to be careful about cleaning and storing earbuds. While I have over-the-ear noise-canceling headphones for flying, I would use earbuds on my daily commute due to the portability factor.

This weekend I went to the doctor for some inner-ear itching and pain. I was shocked to learn that I have a very bad ear infection which was actually causing some minor hearing loss (hopefully temporary).

The doctor told me he commonly sees these sorts of infections in earbud users and advised me to ditch the 'buds. After reading a bit online it looks like he is correct and if people are going to use earbuds they should be very careful about cleaning and storing them. I would not recommend the round of antibiotics and drops I am going to be on to anyone - so please be careful about keeping anything that might go near your ears sparkling clean.