We often hear that certain diets are important for strong bones or better vision, and that exercise and healthy eating are key to protecting against disease. Were you aware that your hearing health can also be greatly affected by the lifestyle choices you make? It’s true! Continue reading to discover how what you do each day can affect your ears and hearing.
Manage what you can for your hearing health
Genetics plays a large part in whether you will experience hearing problems. There isn’t much you can do about it if your parents and grandparents were hard of hearing. You can limit the advancement with some smart lifestyle choices.
If you have no hearing issues in your family, no matter your age, start making some changes that will favorably affect your hearing health like those below.
Protect your ears
Think about investing in hearing protection if you’re frequently exposed to loud sounds at work or enjoy going to high-volume events. Use earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.
Exposure to loud sounds results in noise-induced hearing loss.
Motivate your children and teens to use them too. You can never begin too young to safeguard your hearing.
Eat the right food
Incorporate these essential foods into your diet:
- Fish
- Legumes
- Garlic
- Bananas
- Dark chocolate
- Whole grains
- Broccoli
Foods like these are plentiful in essential nutrients that sustain the health of the fragile bones’ normal growth and help prevent unnatural bone formation.
Be active
Regular physical activity is important for maintaining good cardiovascular health. Think about incorporating activities like brisk walking, swimming laps, or riding a bike into your routine.
Regular light exercise improves your cardiovascular health, which lowers the danger of high blood pressure and a link to hearing problems.
Stop Smoking for Good
Smoking contains poisonous chemicals, like arsenic, ammonia, and formaldehyde, which damage the inner workings of your ears and can result in hearing loss over time.
Additionally, it is linked to the progression of tinnitus.
Reduce your alcohol consumption
Consuming an excessive amount of alcohol within a brief timeframe can impact your auditory well-being. 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 phenomena becoming irreversible. If you experience hearing loss or ringing in the ears, it is advisable to reach out to a hearing professional for an evaluation.
Consume supplements that have a favorable impact on your hearing
The following supplements are not only good for your overall health, but there are studies that link them to strengthening hearing health.
- Omega 3 fatty acids
- Zinc
- Magnesium and Potassium
- Vitamins A, C, and E
- B Vitamins
Talk with your primary care physician to ensure they are okay for you.
Stay on top of your hearing health with routine check-ups
Regular hearing tests 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 already experiencing some hearing loss, concentrate on these lifestyle choices, and schedule an appointment with an expert hearing specialist today.