Hearing is one of our most important senses. Good hearing allows you to effectively listen, understand, communicate, and socialize, translating to a better quality life. In fact, better hearing equals better living.
But as you grow older, your body weakens, not to mention your sense of hearing. The chance of developing hearing problems increases with age. And about one-half of older people are
already suffering from hearing loss. Hearing problems are common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hearing loss is the third most common chronic physical condition, twice as widespread as diabetes or cancer.
Age is one of the primary factors for hearing problems among adults. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, one in three people aged 65 to 74 have hearing loss, and half of those older than 75 have some hearing difficulty. So, taking good care of your hearing faculties is essential. While they don’t necessarily cure existing hearing disorders, proper nutrition and healthy habits help prevent many hearing problems.
7 Health & Nutrition Tips to Promote Proper Hearing
1. Choose Foods Best for Hearing
You’ve heard the phrase: you are what you eat. What you consume can impact what you become and how you interact with people as you age. But did you know that proper nutrition contributes to good hearing?
Maintain a balanced diet by choosing foods abundant with nutrients best for optimal hearing health.
Pick those rich in vitamins and minerals, such as the following:
Potassium (banana, pineapple, potato, spinach)
Magnesium (almond, avocado, tomato, broccoli
Zinc (shellfish, cashews, dark chocolate, whole grains)
Folic Acid (beans, rice, pasta, leafy greens, citrus fruits, and lentils)
Omega-3 Fatty Acids (salmon, sardines, and mackerel, as well as walnuts and flaxseeds)
Antioxidants (berries, leafy greens, and citrus fruits)
2. Stay Hydrated
Take the popular health advice: drink eight glasses of water daily. While it’s good for your overall health, proper hydration is vital for your hearing health. Drinking enough fluid ensures your body, including your inner ears, stays hydrated. Sufficient hydration supports your blood circulation and drives oxygen to your ears. As a result, that maintains your auditory functions and promotes overall health.
3. Regular Exercise
In general, working out is good for your overall well-being. But did you know exercise is also highly recommended for your hearing health? It helps improve blood circulation throughout your body, including your ears. As such, it helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to your auditory system.
4. Quit Smoking
It’s no secret how smoking is bad for your health and overall well-being. But specifically, it poses a significant risk to your sense of hearing health. How? Smoking can narrow the blood vessels in your body, including those in your inner ear. It blocks the connections between your middle ears and the back of your throat, known as the eustachian tubes. Furthermore, cigarettes consist of toxic chemicals. When you smoke, these chemicals can cause damage to the hair cells in your inner ear, which can escalate to hearing loss over time. Quitting smoking can help reduce your risk of developing hearing problems.
5. Manage Stress
Did you know that stress can negatively impact your hearing health? Take, for instance, ringing in your ears when you’re stressed out. A high stress level can lead to certain hearing conditions, such as tinnitus, and worsen existing hearing issues. How does stress affect hearing? Getting exposed to high levels of stress consistently can
release your adrenaline and cortisol hormones. When elevated, these hormones can cause temporary and escalate to permanent hearing loss.
6. Protect Your Ears
Taking proactive measures is crucial for protecting your ears from potential damage:
Stay away from excessive noise.
Avoid loud music.
Wear earplugs.
Stop using cotton swabs.
Keep your ears dry.
7. Get Regular Hearing Tests
Doctors advise individuals to have regular checkups to promote health and well-being. The same applies to fostering hearing health among seniors. As they always say, prevention is better than cure. Get your hearing tested regularly to monitor your hearing health and detect potential problems early on. Hearing specialists can perform various tests to evaluate your hearing ability. They can then provide proper guidance and early interventions, such as using hearing aids.
Sound Nutrition for Healthy Hearing
Maintaining proper hearing is vital to ensure your health and overall well-being. Follow the seven healthy habits and nutritional practices recommended above.
Remember, taking good care of your hearing faculty is best for ensuring a good quality of life.
As you grow older, you’ll manage to stay connected with your loved ones and enjoy the sights and sounds!
Hearing Well Matters!
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