I Have Bad Hearing And Wear Hearing Aids -- Age

I have bad hearing and wear hearing aids -- age 74. I also have had problem with dry/itchy ears. Besides hurting, they swell up and narrow the ear canal. If this happens then the hearing aids do not help much. When I was younger I could control the dry/itchy ears with swim ear or half vinegar and alcohol. However, now having more trouble -- ENT has given me steroid drops -- 2 or 3 different kinds, even ones with an acid in them. They open the canal, but leave a residue on my ear drum that makes hearing difficult.
Do you have any suggestions?