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Please note!
This fact brief was originally published as an experiment to test the concepts behind fact briefs.
Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of useful information in fact briefs like this one, not all of them reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
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FACT BRIEF

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

By Esther Tsvayg
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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.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Healthline: Ear wax problems
Kaiser Health News: Earwax poses unrecognized risks in long-term care
The Hearing Journal: Breakthrough research seeks causal link
American Academy of Family Physicians: Cerumen impaction guidelines
Johns Hopkins Medicine: Hearing loss and dementia
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Gigafact
Between 2020 and 2022, under close editorial supervision, Gigafact contracted a group of freelance writers and editors to test the concepts for fact briefs and provide inputs to our software development process. We call this effort Gigafact Foundry. Over the course of these two years, Gigafact Foundry writers published over 1500 fact briefs in response to claims they found online. Their important work forms the basis of Gigafact formats and editorial guidelines, and is available to the public on Gigafact.org. Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of relevant information to be found, not all fact briefs produced by Gigafact Foundry reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date and need to be looked at with fresh eyes, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
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About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.