max # of eeprom read cycles

[Rob]

Ok, I realize that after a while, the data stored within an EEPROM goes
"soft", where it supplies an intermittent data state..
I saw a modern chip that stated 10 million cycles... Now, in the period
of 14 yrs and with everyday use, this could easily be exceeded, right?
I think I *might* have found a culprit..
So, this means that many pieces of older gear with older and less stable
EEPROMs should all be going "soft" about now..
What do you think? Any thoughts about this theory?
Rob