We frequently hear that specific diets are important for strong bones or better vision, and that exercise and healthy eating are vital to protecting against disease. But did you know that your life choices can also dramatically impact your hearing health? It’s true! Continue reading to find out how what you do every day can impact your ears and hearing.
Control what you can for your hearing health
Your genetic inheritance has a lot to do with whether you experience hearing loss. There isn’t a lot you can do about it if your parents and grandparents were hard of hearing. By making informed choices about your daily routines, however, you can slow down the advancement of the condition.
If you have no hearing issues in your family, no matter your age, begin making some changes that will positively impact your hearing health like those below.
Keep your ears safe
If you work in a noisy environment or like to attend loud concerts, invest in some protection. Earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones are a great idea.
Exposure to loud sounds results in noise-induced hearing loss.
Encourage your kids and adolescents to make use of them too. You can never begin too young to safeguard your hearing.
Choose a healthy diet
Make it a point to include the following foods into your diet:
- Fish
- Legumes
- Garlic
- Bananas
- Dark chocolate
- Whole grains
- Broccoli
Foods like these are rich in essential nutrients that sustain the health of the delicate bones’ healthy growth and help prevent unnatural bone development.
Be active
Regular physical activity is crucial for preserving good cardiovascular health. Consider adding activities like brisk walking, swimming laps, or riding a bike into your routine.
Daily light exercise improves your cardiovascular health, which decreases the risk of high blood pressure and a link to hearing issues.
Quit smoking
The presence of hazardous substances in cigarettes, including arsenic, ammonia, and formaldehyde, can damage the internal mechanisms of your ears and eventually result in hearing loss.
Furthermore, there is also a link between this and the onset of tinnitus.
Limit alcohol
Drinking too many alcoholic drinks in a short period of time can affect your hearing health. It can result in impaired hearing, often knowned as cocktail deafness, where background sounds become muted. It can also produce temporary tinnitus.
There is a possibility of these two situations becoming irreversible. If you experience hearing loss or ringing in the ears, it is advisable to reach out to a hearing professional for an assessment .
Use supplements that positively affect hearing health
These supplements are advantageous for your general well-being and have been linked to promoting good hearing health in various studies.
- Omega 3 fatty acids
- Zinc
- Magnesium and Potassium
- Vitamins A, C, and E
- B Vitamins
Seek advice from your primary care doctor to confirm their suitability for your needs.
Schedule routine hearing exams
Routine hearing exams are the best way to identify any hearing problems or changes to your hearing at an early stage.
Set up a hearing evaluation today
If you are currently managing hearing loss, think about these lifestyle changes and arrange a meeting with a skilled hearing professional as soon as you can.