The guideline authors define the condition as an accumulation of cerumen that causes symptoms, prevents assessment of the ear, or both; total occlusion is not necessary. Excessive or impacted cerumen is found in 1 in 10 children, 1 in 20 adults, and in more than one-third of. the geriatric and developmentally delayed populations. The symptoms ofimpaction include hearing loss, tinnitus, fullness, itching, otalgia, discharge, odor, and cough. The presence of cerumen also can prevent visual assessment by a physician of the ear canal and tympanic membrane.
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