Secrets to Preventing Hearing Loss

Hand holding hearing protection earmuffs that can prevent hearing loss.

You’ve most likely already noticed that your hearing is failing. Hearing loss typically progresses because of decisions you make without knowing they’re impacting your hearing.

Many types of hearing impairment are preventable with several simple lifestyle changes. Let’s look at six unexpected secrets that will help you maintain your hearing.

1. Regulate Your Blood Pressure

It’s not okay if your blood pressure remains 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 issues.

Prevent injury to your hearing by taking steps to lower your blood pressure. Don’t dismiss high blood pressure or wait to see a doctor. Blood pressure management includes proper diet, exercise, stress management, and following your doctor’s orders.

2. Stop Smoking

Here’s one more reason to quit: Hearing loss is 15% more likely to affect smokers. What’s even more alarming is that there’s a 28% higher probability of someone experiencing hearing issues if they are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke. The hazardous repercussions of second-hand smoke are not only harmful, they also stay in the air for long periods.

If you smoke, protect your hearing and consider quitting. Take actions to minimize your exposure to second-hand smoke if you spend time around a smoker.

3. Control Your Diabetes

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

Blood vessels that are injured by high blood sugar don’t efficiently carry 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, take the steps necessary to correctly control it. If you are at risk of developing 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 risk of hearing loss and other health conditions. The chance of getting hearing loss rises by 17% for a slightly obese woman with a BMI of 30 to 34. For someone with a BMI of 40 (moderate obesity), the risk increases to 25%.

Take measures to shed that excess weight. Something as basic as walking for 30 minutes every day can decrease your risk of hearing loss and prolong your life.

5. OTC Medicines Shouldn’t be Overused

Certain over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can result in hearing loss. The risk goes up when these drugs are taken regularly over lengthy periods of time.

Drugs like acetaminophen, naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin are known to trigger hearing loss. Take these medications moderately and consult your doctor if you’re taking them regularly.

Studies demonstrate that you’ll most likely be okay if you’re using these medications periodically in the suggested doses. Taking them every day, however, increases the risk of hearing loss by as much as 40% for men.

Your doctor’s guidance should always be followed. But if you’re using these drugs each day to manage chronic pain or thin your blood, consult your doctor about lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your dependence on OTC drugs.

6. Eat More Broccoli

Broccoli is loaded with iron in addition to important nutrients including vitamins C and K. Iron is essential to blood circulation and a healthy heart. Iron helps your blood transport oxygen and nutrients to cells to keep them healthy and nourished.

If you’re a vegetarian or eat very little meat, it’s important 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.

Pennsylvania State University researchers examined over 300,000 people. The researchers discovered participants with anemia (extreme iron deficiency) were twice as likely to develop sensorineural hearing loss as those without the disorder. Age-related permanent hearing loss is what the technical term “sensorineural hearing loss” refers to.

Sound is received and sent to the brain by delicate little hairs in the inner ear which vibrate with the volume and frequency of that sound. If an iron deficiency or poor circulation causes these delicate hairs to die they will 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.

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.

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