Hand holding hearing protection earmuffs that can prevent hearing loss.

It’s likely that you’ve already observed that you don’t hear as well as you used to. In most cases, we don’t even realize that our choices are negatively impacting our hearing.

Many kinds of hearing loss are avoidable with a few simple lifestyle changes. What follows are 6 secrets that will help you maintain your hearing.

1. Regulate Your Blood Pressure

It’s not good if your blood pressure remains high. A study revealed that people with higher than-average blood pressure are 52% more likely to have hearing loss, not to mention other health problems.

Avoid damage to your hearing by taking actions to reduce your blood pressure. Don’t dismiss high blood pressure or wait to consult a doctor. Following your doctor’s orders, eating a healthy diet, managing stress, and exercising regularly are all parts of blood pressure management.

2. Stop Smoking

Here’s another reason to quit: Hearing loss is 15% more likely to impact smokers. Even more alarming: People who are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke are 28% more likely to develop hearing issues. Even if you go away from the room, smoke hangs around for long periods of time with detrimental repercussions.

If you smoke, protect your hearing and consider quitting. If you hang out with a smoker, take measures to minimize your exposure to second-hand smoke.

3. Regulate Your Diabetes

One out of four adults is either pre-diabetic or diabetic. Unless they make some significant lifestyle changes, somebody who is pre-diabetic will very likely get diabetes within 5 years.

High blood sugar harms blood vessels, which makes it very difficult for them to 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 suffer from diabetes, take the steps required to properly manage it. If you are at risk of getting type 2 diabetes, protect your hearing by making lifestyle changes to prevent it.

4. Lose Some Weight

This isn’t about body image or feeling great about yourself. It’s about your health. As your Body Mass Index (BMI) goes up, so does your risk of hearing loss and other health problems. The chance of getting hearing loss rises by 17% for a mildly obese woman with a BMI of 30 to 34. A moderately obese individual has a 25% chance of hearing loss if they have a BMI of 40.

Work to get rid of some of that excess weight. Something as basic as walking for 30 minutes each day can decrease your risk of hearing loss and prolong your life.

5. OTC Medications Shouldn’t be Overused

Some over-the-counter (OTC) drugs can cause hearing loss. The danger goes up when these medications are taken regularly over prolonged periods of time.

Typical over-the-counter drugs that affect hearing include aspirin, NSAIDs (like naproxen, ibuprofen), and acetaminophen. Take these medicines sparingly and talk to your doctor if you’re using them on a regular basis.

Studies show that you’ll most likely be fine if you’re taking these medications periodically in the suggested doses. The risk of hearing loss goes up to 40% for men, however, when these medications are taken on a day-to-day basis.

Your doctor’s orders should always be implemented. But if you’re taking these medicines every day to control chronic pain or thin your blood, talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes you can make to decrease 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 essential 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 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. 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.

More than 300,000 individuals were studied by Pennsylvania State University. People who have anemia (extreme iron deficiency) are twice as likely, according to this research, to develop sensorineural hearing loss than people who have typical iron concentrations. Age-related permanent hearing loss is what the technical term “sensorineural hearing loss” refers to.

Sound is picked up and transmitted to the brain by delicate little hairs in the inner ear which resonate with the volume and frequency of that sound. If these hair cells die due to poor circulation or other concerns arising from iron deficiency, they won’t 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.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.

Call or text for a no-obligation evaluation.

Schedule Now

Call us today.

Schedule Now