Aging and the Earcanal: What It Means for Hearing Protection

Reducing noise at the source is always the first goal of an effective hearing conservation program. But in practice, many workers depend on personal hearing protection devices (HPDs) every day to guard against noise-induced hearing loss. Success with HPDs comes down to a few essentials: the right fit, proper care, and consistent use throughout the entire shift. Understanding the dynamics of the earcanal can help ensure a successful fit and continued comfort while wearing an HPD.

Does the earcanal continue to grow and change?
One question we hear often is whether the earcanal changes with age — and if so, whether that affects workers' ability to stay protected from noise on the job. Research shows there is a great deal of individual variation from person to person, but one thing that doesn't appear to change with age is the basic size of the earcanal. Anatomical studies show that the outer ear and earcanal are fully developed by puberty, and that overall canal size and volume remain stable over time — especially during typical working years (18 to 65 years of age). There is no scientific evidence that weight change directly affects the size of the earcanal, although medical reasons such as ear disease, surgery or injury may alter the earcanal if affected. 

Are there special considerations for older workers?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 20% of American workers are 65 or older. As the workforce ages, more companies are paying closer attention to what it takes to keep employees safe and healthy over a long working life. And although the size of the earcanal may remain stable, there are age-related changes that can affect how comfortable and effective an HPD is. Common changes to the earcanal as people get older include:

• Thinning of the skin lining the canal, with a loss of elasticity
• Loss of the fatty tissue that cushions the canal
• Reduced gland secretions, leading to drier skin
• Earwax that becomes drier, harder, and more prone to impaction
• Sagging or "collapsing" of the cartilage in the outer part of the canal
• Particularly in older men, coarser hair growth at the canal opening

What age-related changes to the earcanal mean for hearing protection
Each of these changes can have a direct effect on how older workers use and tolerate hearing protection:

• More frequent ear care may be needed. Older workers may need medical attention more often for outer ear infections or earwax buildup, and may need to switch to earmuffs instead of earplugs until they're medically cleared.
• Comfort can decline. Thinner skin and less fatty padding in the canal can make earplugs feel less comfortable than they used to — and forcing an earplug in can irritate or break the skin. Trying different HPD styles and materials may be necessary to find a fit that's comfortable enough to ensure consistent use.
• Insertion can be harder. Workers with collapsed canals may have more difficulty inserting an earplug. Following proper insertion technique helps: using the opposite hand to pull the outer ear up and out, straightening the canal before inserting the plug.
• Plugs may work loose more easily. Jaw movement can dislodge earplugs more readily in workers with softer earcanals, including many older employees. Again, trying different styles and materials can help, and workers should be reminded to reseat their earplugs as needed throughout the shift.

The bottom line
Regularly checking the fit and seal of hearing protection matters for every employee — but it's especially important for older workers. Many companies now conduct individual fit testing for HPDs, much like respirator fit testing — a best practice for hearing conservation programs.

Learn more

• CavCom Custom Hearing Protection - the Complete Guide
• American Academy of Otolaryngology. Earwax and care. 
• Liu, C., & Chen, C. (2000). Aging and external ear resonance. Audiology, 39, 235–237.
• NIOSH. Productive Aging and Work. 
• Oliveira, RJ (1997). The active earcanal. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 8: 401-410.
• Staab, W (2014). The human earcanal, series: I-VIII. Hearing Health Matters.
• Staab, W (2023). The Human Ear Canal – Length and Dimensions. Hearing Health Matters.
• Staab, W (2023). The Human Ear Canal – Changes Due Aging Process and Issues with Device Insertion. Hearing Health Matters.
• Voss, S. E., et al. (2020). Measurements of ear-canal cross-sectional areas from live human ears with implications for wideband acoustic immittance measurements. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 148, 3042–3051.
• Voss, S.E. et al. (2025). Comprehensive Measurements and Analyses of Ear Canal Geometry From Late Infancy Through Late Adulthood: Age-Related Variations and Implications for Basic Science and Audiological Measurements, Trends in Hearing, 2025; 29.