The Connections Bernards Ridge Edition April 2020

TREATING EARS VERY IMPORTANT AS WE AGE! By Ellyn Mantell We appreciate our sense of hearing throughout our lives and know that our ears provide the gift of communi- cation. But I am not certain we realize that our health and stability also depend upon healthy ears. Not only do we need healthy ears to listen, but ver- tigo (dizziness, feelings of falling and needing to hold on to the wall, etc.) takes place deep inside our ears, and that loss of balance can be deadly! Often, the poor health of the ear may be attributed to a buildup of ear wax, a simple enough problem to solve. We may have to look deeper and harder, however, at our aging family member because they may not be able to iden- tify ear wax as the insidious problem it may be. Older ears produce more ear wax than younger ones, and that greasy buildup can go unnoticed. An exces- sive amount can cause hearing loss, ringing in the ears and the abovemen- tioned vertigo. Therefore, not only are the elderly unable to hear, and thus communicate, but they are, which bears mentioning again, at greater risk for falling. Many do not know that the sense of balance is in loop-shaped canals in the inner ear (semicircular canals) making reduction of ear wax ever more important for the aging, whose sense of balance is typically more compromised. The wax, which is really a substance called cerumen, binds with dirt, dust and debris. It is intended to clean the ear and allow the flow of sound to pass unimpeded. But if it collects, it can completely block the ear canal, known as impaction. Impaction is more common in facil- ities where little is expected of the eld- erly patient, such as a nursing home. Additionally, impacted earwax can be particularly bad for dementia patients. It exacerbates hearing loss which impedes communication and can worsen aggression and other negative behaviors, due to the miasma in which the patient may find himself. Some- times, just removal of the ear wax calms down the agitated patient. Removal of ear wax should be done professionally by an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist) or in some cases, an audiologist specially trained to do so. Some senior care facilities provide a professional to clean the ears, check hearing aids and deter- mine the frequency of buildup. Studies have shown a significant improvement in hearing and cognitive performance in elderly patients with memory disorders, as well as fall risks, when impacted cerumen was removed. There is a positive trend toward looking first and foremost as that being a contributing factor to get- ting the senior “back into the world.” Simple as is seems, it may be up to us to make caregivers aware of our concerns about our loved one’s hear- ing and sense of balance. If this article brings you awareness, we are one step closer to helping to make their lives better as they age.all euphoric feeling. Sometimes, just removal of the ear wax calms down the agitated patient. Studies have shown a significant improvement in hearing and cognitive performance in elderly patients with memory disorders, as well as fall risks, when impacted cerumen was removed. E V E R L A S T I N G C A R E The Cemetery of Choice for Family Heritage • Glass Front Cremation Niches • Beautiful Views •Affordable Pricing 95 Mt. Airy Road Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 908.766.0522 • SHMPCEMETERY.COM Generations of Gracious Care PAGE 76 Spotlight on Seniors www.theconnectionsnj.com