You’ve most likely already recognized that your hearing is waning. Hearing loss frequently develops as a result of decisions you make without recognizing they’re impacting your hearing.
With a few simple lifestyle changes, many kinds of hearing loss can be avoided. Let’s explore six surprising secrets that will help you protect your hearing.
1. Manage Your Blood Pressure
Persistently high blood pressure is not good. A study revealed that hearing loss was 52% more likely with people who have above average blood pressure and they’re more likely to have other health problems as well.
Take actions to reduce your blood pressure and avoid hearing damage. See a doctor as soon as possible and never ignore your high blood pressure. Blood pressure management includes correct diet, exercise, stress management, and following your doctor’s advice.
2. Quit Smoking
Here’s one more reason to quit: Hearing loss is 15% more likely to affect smokers. What’s even more surprising is that there’s a 28% higher probability of someone developing hearing issues if they are frequently subjected to second-hand smoke. Even if you go away from the room, smoke lingers for long periods of time with unhealthy repercussions.
Think about safeguarding your hearing, if you smoke, by quitting. If you hang out with a smoker, take measures to minimize your exposure to second-hand smoke.
3. Control Your Diabetes
Diabetes or pre-diabetes impacts one in four adults. A pre-diabetic individual is extremely likely to get diabetes within 5 years unless they make significant lifestyle changes.
High blood sugar harms blood vessels, which makes it very difficult for them to effectively carry nutrients. Compared to someone who doesn’t have diabetes, a diabetic person has more than twice the chance of developing hearing loss.
If you suffer from diabetes, take the steps necessary to correctly manage it. Safeguard your hearing by making lifestyle changes if you are at risk of type 2 diabetes.
4. Lose Some Weight
This is more about your health than feeling great about how you look. Hearing loss and other health conditions increase as your Body Mass Index (BMI) rises. A mildly obese woman (with a 30 to 34 BMI) has a 17% higher risk of getting hearing loss. For somebody with a BMI of 40 (moderate obesity), the risk increases to 25%.
Work to eliminate some of that extra weight. Something as basic as walking for 30 minutes every day can reduce your risk of hearing loss and prolong your life.
5. OTC Medications Shouldn’t be Overused
Some over-the-counter (OTC) medications can lead to hearing loss. The more often these medications are used over a prolonged period of time, the greater the risk.
Medications like acetaminophen, naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin are known to trigger hearing loss. Take these medications sparingly and seek advice from your doctor if you’re using them regularly.
Studies demonstrate that you’ll probably be fine if you’re using these medications periodically in the recommended doses. Using them daily, however, raises the risk of hearing loss by up to 40% for men.
Always follow your doctor’s recommendations. But if you’re taking these medications every day to deal with chronic pain or thin your blood, talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your dependence on OTC drugs.
6. Eat More Broccoli
Broccoli is high in nutrients and vitamins such as C and K and also has lots of 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 eat very little meat, it’s important that you consume enough plant-based iron. The iron found in plants is not as bioavailable as the iron in meat so people in this group are more likely to be deficient in iron.
Pennsylvania State University researchers examined over 300,000 people. People who have anemia (extreme iron deficiency) are two times as likely, according to this research, to develop sensorineural hearing loss than individuals who have normal iron concentrations. Age-related irreversible hearing loss is what the technical term “sensorineural hearing loss” refers to.
Sound is picked up and transmitted to the brain by fragile little hairs in the inner ear which vibrate with the volume and frequency of that sound. If these hair cells die because of poor circulation or other complications arising from iron deficiency, they never grow back.
Don’t wait to get a hearing exam because you’re never too young. Implement these steps into your life and prevent hearing loss.