Secrets to Preventing Hearing Loss

Hand holding hearing protection earmuffs that can prevent hearing loss.

It’s likely that you’ve already noticed that you don’t hear as well as you used to. Normally, we don’t even recognize that our choices are negatively impacting our 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 preserve your hearing.

1. Manage Your Blood Pressure

It’s not okay if your blood pressure remains high. A study revealed that hearing loss was 52% more likely with individuals who have higher than average blood pressure and they are more likely to have other health issues also.

Take actions to lower your blood pressure and prevent hearing damage. Consult a doctor right away and never disregard your high blood pressure. Following your doctor’s advice, eating a healthy diet, managing stress, and exercising regularly are all parts of blood pressure management.

2. Quit Smoking

Here’s one more reason to quit: Hearing loss is 15% more likely to impact smokers. What’s even more surprising is that there’s a 28% higher chance of someone developing hearing issues if they are regularly subjected to second-hand smoke. Even if you leave the room, smoke lingers for long periods of time with hazardous repercussions.

If you’re a smoker, protect your hearing and think about quitting. If you hang out with a smoker, take steps to decrease your exposure to second-hand smoke.

3. Keep Your Diabetes in Check

Diabetes or pre-diabetes affects one out of four adults. Unless they make some significant lifestyle changes, someone who is pre-diabetic will probably develop diabetes within 5 years.

High blood sugar damages blood vessels, which makes it extremely hard 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 have diabetes, protect your hearing by taking the proper steps to manage it. If you are at risk of getting type 2 diabetes, safeguard your hearing by making lifestyle changes to prevent it.

4. Lose Some Weight

This is more about your health than feeling great about your body image. As your Body Mass Index (BMI) goes up, so does your possibility of hearing loss and other health conditions. The risk of developing hearing loss increases 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 increases 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 simple as walking for 30 minutes each day.

5. Don’t Overuse OTC Medications

Hearing impairment can be the consequence of some over-the-counter (OTC) medications. The risk goes up when these drugs are taken on a regular basis over prolonged periods of time.

Medicines such as acetaminophen, naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin are known to trigger hearing loss. Take these medicines moderately and talk to your doctor if you’re taking them regularly.

If you’re using the suggested dose for the occasional headache, studies suggest you’ll most likely be okay. Taking them daily, however, increases the chance of hearing loss by as much as 40% for men.

Your doctor’s orders should always be followed. Your doctor may be able to recommend some lifestyle changes that will lessen your dependence on these medications if you are using them every day.

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 a healthy heart and strong blood circulation. Iron helps your blood transport oxygen and nutrients to cells to keep them healthy and nourished.

For vegetarians or individuals who don’t eat meat very often, eating a sufficient amount of plant-based iron is essential. 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 studied over 300,000 individuals. Individuals who suffer from anemia (extreme iron deficiency) are twice as likely, according to this research, to experience sensorineural hearing loss than individuals who have normal 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 vibrate with the volume and frequency of that sound. If these hair cells die because of poor circulation or other concerns related to iron deficiency, they won’t grow back.

Don’t wait to get a hearing test because you’re never too young. Prevent hearing loss by applying these simple tips in your daily life.

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.