The idea that diet plays a crucial role in strengthening bones and improving vision, and that eating healthy and getting regular exercise can keep you healthy, is a common understanding. Were you aware that your hearing health can also be greatly affected by the lifestyle choices you make? It’s true! Keep reading to discover how what you do every day can affect your ears and hearing.
Manage what you can for your hearing health
Genetic makeup plays a large role in whether you will have hearing problems. If your parents and grandparents had hearing problems, there is not a lot you can do to change that. You can slow the advancement with some sensible lifestyle choices.
If you have no hearing issues in your family, no matter your age, start making some changes that will favorably impact your hearing health like those below.
Protect your ears
Consider purchasing hearing protection if you’re frequently exposed to loud sounds at work or like attending high-volume events. Earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones are a good idea.
Noise-induced hearing loss is caused by exposure to loud sounds.
Encourage your kids and teens to make use of them too. It’s never too soon to take measures to safeguard your hearing.
Choose a healthy diet
Make it a point to incorporate the following foods into your diet:
- Fish
- Legumes
- Garlic
- Bananas
- Dark chocolate
- Whole grains
- Broccoli
Foods like these are rich in essential nutrients that support the health of the delicate bones’ normal growth and help prevent unnatural bone formation.
Be active
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, decreasing the possibility of hypertension and its potential link to hearing issues.
Stop Smoking for Good
The presence of harmful compounds in cigarettes, including arsenic, ammonia, and formaldehyde, can harm the internal mechanisms of your ears and eventually result in hearing loss.
Moreover, there is also a link between this and the onset of tinnitus.
Limit alcohol
Having too many cocktails in a short period of time can impact your hearing health. It can trigger a temporary loss of the ability to hear background noises known as cocktail deafness. Additionally, it may result in a short-term ringing in the ears.
There is a possibility of these two phenomena becoming permanent. If you notice hearing loss or ringing in the ears, it is a good idea to reach out to a hearing professional for an evaluation.
Use supplements that positively impact hearing health
The following supplements are not only excellent for your general 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
Consult with your primary care doctor to confirm their suitability for your needs.
Stay on top of your hearing health with routine exams
Having routine hearing assessments is the most reliable method to identify any potential hearing problems or changes in your hearing early on.
Book your hearing test now
If you are already experiencing some hearing loss, focus on these lifestyle choices, and schedule an appointment with an experienced hearing specialist today.