In addition to noise-induced & aged related hearing loss, over 50% of aged care residents are expected to develop impacted earwax in at least one ear. Aside from making already weakened earwax worse, impacted ear wax can cause issues with balance and adversely affect comfort. This is particularly pertinent to residents in care homes risk who’s factors for impacted earwax in the aged include:

• Hearing aid use

• Exostoses

• Common skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis and diabetes-related skin pathology

• Collapsing ear canals

• Long-term cotton wool tip usage

• Increased ear canal hair growth

• Inability to report complaints to care staff due to age-related communication difficulties i,e, dementia, stroke victims.