Cerumen impaction in the elderly.

1. Cerumen impaction is a reversible cause of conduction hearing loss in the elderly. 2. Risk factors include ear canal hairs, hearing aids, bony growths secondary to osteophyte or osteoma, and a history of impacted cerumen. 3. Cerumen removal can cause damage to the external auditory meatus, perforation of the tympanic membrane, and/or otitis media. 4. Methods to remove cerumen impactions include: ceruminolytic agents, curette methods and lavage method.