It’s likely that you’ve already observed that you don’t hear as well as you used to. Usually, we don’t even realize that our decisions are negatively impacting our hearing.
With a few simple lifestyle changes, many kinds of hearing loss can be prevented. Let’s explore six unexpected secrets that will help you protect your hearing.
1. Regulate Your Blood Pressure
It’s not okay if your blood pressure stays high. A study revealed that individuals with higher than-average blood pressure are 52% more likely to have hearing loss, not to mention other health problems.
Avoid injury to your hearing by taking measures to reduce your blood pressure. Don’t ignore high blood pressure or wait to see a doctor. Following your doctor’s guidance, eating a healthy diet, managing stress, and exercising regularly are all parts of blood pressure management.
2. Quit Smoking
There are plenty of reasons to quit smoking, here’s another: Smokers are 15% more likely to suffer from hearing loss. What’s even more surprising is that there’s a 28% higher chance of someone experiencing hearing problems if they are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke. The dangerous consequences of second-hand smoke are not only harmful, they also stay in the air for long periods.
If you’re a smoker, protect your hearing and consider quitting. Take measures to decrease your exposure to second-hand smoke if you hang out around a smoker.
3. Keep Your Diabetes Under Control
Diabetes or pre-diabetes impacts one out of four adults. Unless they make some serious lifestyle changes, somebody who is pre-diabetic will probably develop diabetes within 5 years.
High blood sugar damages blood vessels, which makes it extremely difficult for them to efficiently carry nutrients. A diabetic individual is more than two times as likely to experience hearing loss compared to a non-diabetic individual.
If you suffer from diabetes, protect your hearing by taking the proper steps to manage it. If you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, protect your hearing by making lifestyle changes to avoid it.
4. Lose Some Weight
This is more about your health than feeling good about how you look. As your Body Mass Index (BMI) rises, so does your possibility of hearing loss and other health problems. A slightly obese woman (with a 30 to 34 BMI) has a 17% increased risk of getting hearing loss. For somebody with a BMI of 40 (moderate obesity), the risk goes up to 25%.
Work to eliminate some of that extra weight. Something as simple as walking for 30 minutes every day can lower your risk of hearing loss and prolong your life.
5. Don’t Overuse OTC Medications
Hearing loss can be the result of some over-the-counter (OTC) medications. The danger goes up when these medications are taken on a regular basis over lengthy periods of time.
Medications including acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin are known to cause hearing loss. Take these drugs sparingly and talk to your doctor if you’re using them on a regular basis.
Studies demonstrate that you’ll probably be fine if you’re using these medications periodically in the suggested doses. The danger of hearing loss increases up to 40% for men, however, when these medications are used on a daily basis.
Your doctor’s orders should always be followed. But if you’re using these drugs each day to control chronic pain or thin your blood, consult your doctor about lifestyle changes you can implement to lessen your dependence on OTC drugs.
6. Eat More Broccoli
Broccoli is packed with nutrients and vitamins such as C and K and also is high in iron. Iron is vital to blood circulation and a healthy heart. Nutrients and oxygen are transported to your cells which helps keep them nourished and healthy and iron is a significant part of this process.
If you’re a vegetarian or don’t eat much meat, it’s critical 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.
More than 300,000 individuals were examined by Pennsylvania State University. People who suffer from anemia (severe iron deficiency) are twice as likely, according to this research, to develop sensorineural hearing loss than individuals who have typical iron concentrations. Age-related permanent hearing loss is what the technical term “sensorineural hearing loss” refers to.
The inner ear has fragile hair cells that pick up sounds and connect with the brain to transmit the volume and frequency of those sounds. If an iron deficiency or poor circulation causes these little hairs to die they will be gone forever.
You’re never too young to have your hearing checked, so don’t wait until it gets worse. Implement these steps into your life and prevent hearing loss.
Tips to Preventing Hearing Loss