We often hear that certain diets are essential 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 significantly affected by the lifestyle choices you make? Read on to learn more about how your lifestyle choices can affect the health of your hearing.
Manage the factors within your control to preserve good hearing.
Genetic makeup plays a large role in whether you will experience hearing problems. There isn’t a lot you can do about it if your parents and grandparents were hard of hearing. You can slow the progression with some smart lifestyle choices.
If you have no hearing issues in your family, no matter your age, begin making some changes that will positively affect your hearing health like those below.
Protect your ears
Consider investing in hearing protection if you’re frequently exposed to loud sounds at work or enjoy going to high-volume events. Earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones are a great idea.
Noise-induced hearing loss is usually the result of exposure to loud sounds.
Encourage your children and teens to use them too. It’s never too soon to take steps to protect your hearing.
Eat the right food
Make it a point to incorporate the following foods into your diet:
- Fish
- Legumes
- Garlic
- Bananas
- Dark chocolate
- Whole grains
- Broccoli
These foods contain nutrients that supply strength for the tiny bones in your ears, while at the same time they protect against abnormal bone growth.
Be active
Routine physical activity is important for maintaining good cardiovascular health. Consider adding activities like brisk walking, swimming laps, or riding a bike into your routine.
Doing regular low-impact physical activity enhances the health of your heart and blood vessels, reducing the likelihood of hypertension and its potential link to hearing problems.
Stop Smoking for Good
The presence of harmful compounds in cigarettes, such as arsenic, ammonia, and formaldehyde, can damage the internal mechanisms of your ears and eventually lead to hearing impairment.
Furthermore, there is also a connection between this and the onset of tinnitus.
Limit alcohol
Drinking too many alcoholic drinks in a short period of time can impact your hearing health. It can cause a short-term loss of the ability to hear background sounds known as cocktail deafness. It can also result in temporary tinnitus.
There is a possibility of these two situations becoming irreversible. If you experience hearing loss or ringing in the ears, it is a good idea to talk to a hearing professional for an evaluation.
Consume supplements that have a beneficial effect on your hearing
The following supplements are not only great for your overall health, but there are studies that link them to supporting 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 confirm their suitability for your needs.
Schedule regular hearing exams
Routine hearing exams are the best way to identify any hearing issues or changes to your hearing at an early stage.
Schedule your hearing assessment now
If you are presently managing hearing loss, consider these lifestyle changes and set up a meeting with a skilled hearing professional as soon as possible.