We often hear that certain diets are important for strong bones or improved vision, and that exercise and healthy eating are vital to preventing disease. Were you aware that your hearing health can also be significantly affected by the lifestyle choices you make? It’s true! Continue reading to find out how what you do each day can affect your ears and hearing.
Control what you can for your hearing health
Genetics plays a large role in whether you will have hearing issues. 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 decrease the advancement of the condition.
Irrespective of your age, if you don’t have a history of hearing issues in your family, it’s a smart idea to take proactive steps to safeguard your hearing and set yourself up for a lifetime of healthy hearing by implementing the following approaches.
Safeguard your ears
Consider purchasing hearing protection if you’re frequently exposed to loud noises at work or enjoy going to high-volume events. Earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones are a good idea.
Exposure to loud sounds results in noise-induced hearing loss.
Encourage your children and teens to use them too. It’s never too soon to take steps 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 plentiful in essential nutrients that support the health of the fragile bones’ normal growth and help prevent irregular bone development.
Stay physically engaged.
We require exercise to ensure healthy blood circulation. Try walking, swimming, or cycling.
Engaging in consistent low-impact physical activity enhances the health of your heart and blood vessels, reducing the likelihood of hypertension and its potential connection to hearing issues.
Given up smoking
The presence of harmful substances in cigarettes, including arsenic, ammonia, and formaldehyde, can harm the internal mechanisms of your ears and eventually lead to hearing loss.
In addition, it is connected to the progression of tinnitus.
Limit alcohol
Consuming a significant amount of alcohol within a brief timeframe can affect your auditory well-being. It can cause a temporary loss of the ability to hear background sounds known as cocktail deafness. It can also cause temporary tinnitus.
It is conceivable that these two phenomena could become irreversible. If hearing loss or tinnitus happens, you should consult with a hearing specialist for an assessment.
Take supplements that positively impact hearing health
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
Seek advice from your primary care doctor to verify their suitability for your needs.
Schedule regular hearing tests
Having regular hearing assessments is the most effective way to identify any potential hearing problems or changes in your hearing early on.
Schedule your hearing assessment now
If you are already noticing some hearing loss, focus on these lifestyle choices, and schedule an appointment with an experienced hearing specialist today.