Habits to Break for Healthy Hearing
There are many reasons why people suffer hearing loss and forced to use hearing aids, but you can take steps now to protect yourself. Unlike other ailments, all it takes to protect your hearing are good habits, and it’s never too early or too late to start. Whether it’s the New Year or the middle of the year, anytime is a good time to break bad habits.
Avoid Loud Noises
This one isn’t too hard to figure out. Most music players today will issue a notification if you have turned the volume too high, so keep the volume to a reasonable level. This rule should be followed whether you’re wearing headphones or listening to speakers. Now if you’re going to a concert, bring along some ear plugs in case the music gets too loud, and you should do the same if you’re mowing the lawn, using a jackhammer or are going to be exposed to loud noises.
Diet and Exercise
Losing weight and exercising is good for your heart, but did you know that it’s also good for your hearing? When you’re overweight, your circulatory system will have a harder time distributing nutrients and performing its normal functions. This isn’t good for your heart, kidneys, liver and inner ear, because they require healthy blood flow to function. Your inner ear is especially dependent on a healthy body because hair cells are unable to regenerate.
There’s no shortage of diet and exercise programs available, but as a general guide you should cut back on fatty, processed and sugary foods and work out at least 3 times a week.
Get Enough Rest and Sleep
Lack of sleep and rest results in decreased alertness, poor memory and impairment of cognitive functions. If you don’t get enough rest your sensory functions take a hit, including hearing. The link between lack of sleep and your brain isn’t that hard to understand when you realize that we hear and listen with our brains.
To keep it simple, if your brain isn’t getting enough rest, hearing problems will result, and that’s only for starters. If you suffer from sleep apnea other health problems could arise such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack and diabetes. All of these medical conditions have a direct effect on your hearing.
Take Vitamins and Minerals
The secret to good hearing health is a sound body, and that means taking vitamin C, D, E and B-12. You will also benefit from potassium, folic acid, calcium, zinc and magnesium as they improve your body’s immune system and can prevent hearing loss. They’re available in supplemental form but you can also get these from almonds, spinach, sunflower seeds, peanut butter, citrus fruits and green, leafy vegetables.
Prevention is better than cure. But, if you have a chance needing a hearing aid, make sure to get a hearing aid prescription. For more details of our hearing test & assessment, and hearing aid services, please contact HK Hearing & Speech Centre.
Source:
HK Hearing & Speech Centre
Specialist of Hearing test & assessment,
and Hearing Aid Prescription
https://www.hkhearingspeech.com