Earwax, of all things, poses unrecognized risk in long-term care
Reviewed by James Ives, MPsychAug 29 2018
Of all the indignities that come with aging, excessive earwax may be the most insidious.
Don't laugh.
That greasy, often gross, buildup occurs more often in older ears than those of the young, experts say. And when it goes unrecognized, it can pose serious problems, especially for the 2.2 million people who live in U.S. nursing homes and assisted living centers.
"The excessive amount [of earwax] can cause hearing loss or ringing in your ears. Some people experience vertigo, which increases the risk of falling," said Jackie Clark, a board-certified audiologist who is president of the American Academy of Audiology. "Right now, we see some correlation between hearing loss and cognitive decline."
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20180829/Earwax-of-all-things-poses-unrecognized-risk-in-long-term-care.aspx
