![]() ![]() ![]() *Most people do not need a regular schedule for preventing earwax buildup. The group offers these additional tips for those concerned about ear wax: Up to two-thirds of people living in nursing homes may suffer from impacted wax, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. Your doctor or an ear-nose-throat specialist assess the ear canal during regular checkups, especially if someone wears hearing aids. A professional can also help to determine whether other problems, such as sinus problems, may be contributing to hearing loss. If there are large plugs of impacted earwax, a trained professional is the best bet for removing it. Your doctor can help you determine the best choice for you. They include oil-based compounds, like olive oil or almond oil or glycerol, and water-based compounds containing sodium bicarbonate or hydrogen peroxide. Many other techniques and devices are sold for softening and removing ear wax, including drops and suction devices. In most cases, simply letting warm water douse the ear, during a shower, for example, can help to soften and remove excess wax. Still, as any ear specialist who treats these injuries will tell you, people do it. Entering the ear canal could cause injury,” including a punctured ear drum or damage to the tiny middle ear bones that are critical for hearing. For this reason, health care providers recommend against trying to reach into your own ear to clean it.Įvery box of Q-tips comes with the warning: “Do not insert swab inside the ear canal. Sharp objects can also damage the delicate lining of the ear canal or pierce an ear drum. When you try to clean the ear, by using a cotton swab, for example, you may instead push wax deeper and block the ear canal. This extra wax may harden in the ear canal and block the ear. Buildup of excess ear wax can also occur in people who wear hearing aids, which can block the natural extrusion of wax from the ear canal. Older men and women, particularly those staying in long-term care facilities where medical care appointments are limited, are particularly likely to have a buildup of impacted ear wax. Impacted wax can not only cause hearing problems, it may also lead to balance problems or dizziness which can contribute to falls, particularly in the elderly. And as we age, ear wax can become drier and more likely to become impacted. Some people, however, produce more wax than can be easily removed from the ear. And ear wax, along with skin cells and debris, is usually naturally expelled from the ear canal without causing problems. Your body produces wax to protect the ears and prevent infections. But on its own, ear wax, known medically as cerumen, is basically a good thing, part of the ear’s self-cleaning mechanism that protects the ear by filtering out dust, germs and other objects from the delicate lining of the ear canal. Impacted earwax and loss of hearing can be a particular problem for patients with Alzheimer’s disease, impeding communication and worsening aggression and other difficult behaviors.Įar wax has a high degree of “yuck” factor. But concerns have also been raised about ear wax, which can become impacted and dampen the ability to hear. And even the mildest hearing loss, studies show, can take a toll on the brain.Įxposure to loud noise over a lifetime is a main reason for age-related hearing loss. Loss of hearing can contribute to social isolation, a known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. One analysis found that preventing or treating hearing loss in middle age has the potential to cut the likelihood of developing dementia years down the road by almost 10 percent. In terms of modifiable risk factors for developing dementia, poor hearing has more of an impact than smoking, high blood pressure and lack of exercise. Scientists increasingly recognize the importance of good hearing for brain health. Paying attention to ear wax may be especially important for anyone caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease and older people who wear hearing aids. And experts say that we might all benefit by taking note of this seemingly harmless substance that most of us give little notice to. Could ear wax be impairing your cognitive health? By impairing your hearing, it might. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |