Chances are you’ve already observed that you don’t hear as well as you once did. In most cases, we don’t even realize that our choices are negatively affecting our hearing.
With a few simple lifestyle changes, many kinds of hearing loss can be avoided. Let’s look at six unexpected secrets that will help you maintain your hearing.
1. Regulate Your Blood Pressure
Persistently high blood pressure is not good. A study found that hearing loss was 52% more likely with individuals who have higher than average blood pressure and they’re more likely to have other health problems also.
Take action to lower your blood pressure and avoid hearing damage. Don’t neglect high blood pressure or wait to consult a doctor. Blood pressure management includes proper diet, exercise, stress management, and following your doctor’s orders.
2. Stop Smoking
Here’s one more reason to quit: Hearing loss is 15% more likely to affect smokers. What’s even more alarming is that there’s a 28% higher chance of someone developing hearing issues if they are frequently exposed to second-hand smoke. The hazardous repercussions of second-hand smoke are not only harmful, they also stay in the air for long periods.
Consider safeguarding your hearing, if you’re a smoker, by quitting. Take actions to minimize your exposure to second-hand smoke if you spend time with a smoker.
3. Keep Your Diabetes Under Control
One out of four adults is either pre-diabetic or diabetic. A pre-diabetic individual is very likely to get diabetes within 5 years if they don’t make serious lifestyle changes.
Blood vessels that are injured by high blood sugar don’t efficiently transport nutrients. Compared to a person who doesn’t have diabetes, a diabetic person has more than twice the chance of developing hearing loss.
If you have diabetes, take the steps necessary to correctly manage it. If you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, protect your hearing by making lifestyle changes to prevent it.
4. Lose Some Weight
This is more about your health than feeling great about how you look. Hearing loss and other health disorders increase as your Body Mass Index (BMI) increases. The risk of getting hearing loss rises by 17% for a slightly obese woman with a BMI of 30 to 34. For an individual with a BMI of 40 (moderate obesity), the risk goes up to 25%.
Work to get rid of some of that extra weight. Your life can be prolonged and your hearing can be protected by something as basic as walking for 30 minutes every day.
5. Don’t Overuse OTC Drugs
Hearing impairment can be the outcome of some over-the-counter (OTC) medications. The danger increases when these drugs are taken on a regular basis over prolonged periods of time.
Typical over-the-counter medicines that affect hearing include aspirin, NSAIDs (such as naproxen, ibuprofen), and acetaminophen. Take these drugs moderately and talk to your doctor if you’re using them on a regular basis.
Studies show that you’ll probably be okay if you’re using these medications periodically in the recommended doses. The risk of hearing loss goes up to 40% for men, however, when these medications are taken on a daily basis.
Your doctor’s advice should always be implemented. Your doctor might be able to suggest some lifestyle changes that will reduce your dependence on these medications if you are taking them every day.
6. Eat More Broccoli
Broccoli is full of nutrients and vitamins including C and K and also is high in iron. Iron is vital to blood circulation and a healthy heart. Oxygen and nutrients are carried to your cells which helps keep them healthy and nourished and iron is an important part of this process.
If you’re a vegetarian or eat very little meat, it’s important that you consume enough plant-based iron. You’re more likely to be iron deficient because the iron found in plants is less bioavailable than the iron found in meat.
Pennsylvania State University researchers examined more than 300,000 people. Individuals who have anemia (extreme iron deficiency) are twice as likely, according to this research, to experience sensorineural hearing loss than individuals who have normal iron concentrations. Sensorineural hearing loss is the scientific term for permanent hearing loss associated with aging.
The inner ear has tiny hair cells that detect sounds and connect with the brain to transmit the volume and frequency of those sounds. If these hair cells die due to poor circulation or other concerns related to iron deficiency, they won’t grow back.
Don’t wait to get a hearing exam because you’re never too young. Prevent hearing loss by applying these simple tips in your day-to-day life.
