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Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020

Do researchers think earwax buildup could increase the risk of cognitive decline in the elderly?

Esther Tsvayg, Gigafact
yes

Early research shows that the buildup (or impaction) of cerumen, commonly known as earwax, may lead to hearing loss and thus potentially contribute to cognitive decline in the elderly. The likelihood of cerumen impaction is highest for young children and the elderly, but riskier for the latter. The risk is further heightened by hearing aids.

The exact linkage between hearing loss of any sort and the onset of dementia has yet to be firmly established. Research from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging found that hearing loss is one of the highest risk factors for developing dementia–it was found to accelerate brain atrophy and shrink brain regions responsible for processing sound and speech.

In 2017, about eight million cerumen removal procedures were performed in the U.S.

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