Ear Care for Older Adults
Understanding how ear health changes with age and how we can help.
As we get older, our ears change in ways that can make earwax problems more common. Understanding these changes can help you or your loved ones maintain good ear health well into later life.
Why Earwax Problems Increase with Age
Drier Earwax
As we age, earwax tends to become drier and harder. This makes it more likely to build up and less likely to migrate out naturally.
Reduced Natural Cleaning
The ear's self-cleaning mechanism becomes less efficient over time, meaning wax is more likely to accumulate.
Hearing Aid Use
Many older adults wear hearing aids, which can push wax deeper into the ear canal and block natural migration. Learn more about hearing aids and earwax.
Narrower Ear Canals
Changes in the ear canal shape can make it easier for wax to become trapped.
The Impact on Quality of Life
Untreated earwax buildup in older adults can have significant effects beyond just hearing loss. It can contribute to social isolation, cognitive decline (when hearing loss is mistaken for confusion), increased risk of falls (due to balance issues), and reduced quality of life.
A Note for Carers
If you care for an elderly relative or client, watch for signs of hearing difficulty. Sometimes what appears to be confusion or cognitive decline is actually untreated hearing loss caused by earwax buildup. A simple ear check can make a huge difference.