It may seem like your hearing and lifestyle are entirely unrelated, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The things you eat and do can directly impact how well you hear. While some types of hearing loss can’t be prevented with lifestyle changes, you may be able to slow down your hearing loss with a few lifestyle changes.
Focus on Nutrition
Some foods can lower your risk of hearing loss. They include:
- Legumes
- Fish
- Broccoli
- Bananas
- Garlic
- Whole grains
- Dark chocolate
These foods contain nutrients that can strengthen the bones inside your ears, prevent abnormal bone growth that can lead to hearing loss, and provide your body with vitamins and minerals that minimize your risk of developing hearing-related diseases. At Elder Care Alliance, we provide our residents with healthy foods that contain many different nutrients that can boost overall health.
Stop Smoking
Smoking can lead to hearing loss, so it’s important to quit today. Even secondhand smoke can negatively impact hearing, so try to avoid it as much as possible. Cigarette smoke can cause blockages within the eustachian tube, leading to hearing loss.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise is essential for overall health, and it can help boost your hearing health as well. Regular light exercise can improve cardiovascular health, which can protect against age-related hearing loss. Just be sure not to go overboard with exercising since excessive physical activity can increase inflammation throughout your body and have a negative impact on your hearing health.
Keep External Noise Levels Down
The noise you expose your ears to can profoundly impact your ability to hear. Exposure to excessive noise is a common cause of hearing loss and impairment. You can avoid this hearing loss by avoiding listening to music too loudly. You may also wish to wear noise-canceling headphones if you work in a loud environment, if there is construction near your home or any other frequent causes of loud noises around you.
Schedule Regular Hearing Tests
If you’re concerned about the health of your hearing, it’s a good idea to schedule regular hearing tests. These tests can help reveal changes in your hearing. In addition, your doctor may recommend certain treatments to help you hear better, such as hearing aids.
Take Supplements
Some supplements contain nutrients known to boost hearing health. If you can’t seem to get the ideal number of nutrients from your regular diet, supplements can help make up the difference. Look for supplements that contain magnesium and potassium. These two nutrients are important for keeping your hearing processes healthy. Magnesium keeps cells in the inner ear healthy and can minimize high blood pressure associated with hearing loss. Potassium is involved in fluid balance and can help keep the hair cells in the inner ear healthy.
Whether you’re already experiencing some hearing loss or you want to avoid it, the above tips can help. You have more control over your overall health than you may realize and can make lifestyle changes to help you age well.
