The longer you’ve been alive, the higher your risk for hearing impairment. It can occur over time, and at some point, it is likely to become more noticeable and potentially debilitating.
Poor hearing is associated with loneliness, low self-esteem, and an increased risk for depression and dementia.
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Hearing loss, however, is not a guarantee. If you have yet to be diagnosed, there are actions you can take to protect your ears and hearing ability to improve your chances of staying engaged in the future.
Take a walk: Exercise is one of the most beneficial things for overall health and it may help protect hearing as well. Some experts believe that increased blood flow to the ear can help keep cilia, the tiny hairs in your inner ear that transmit vibrations interpreted as sound, healthy.
When cilia die or become damaged, they do not repair and hearing suffers permanently.
If walking isn’t your thing, find another activity that gets the blood flowing. Aim for at least 30 minutes per day, at least 5 days per week.
Turn down the volume: Turning down the volume is another controllable factor that can help preserve hearing. The National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) estimates that 26 million Americans have hearing loss that may have caused by noise exposure.
You can prevent noise exposure by wearing protective equipment when using a leaf blower or lawnmower, keeping windows closed if you live on a busy street or near a highway, using noise-canceling headphones, and keeping volumes on the stereo and television at no more than 60% of max volume for no more than an hour per day.
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Also, avoid earbuds when possible. Inserting devices directly into the ear canal is not a great idea. Additionally, these devices often provide poor sound quality leading to higher listening volumes. Getting some decent quality over-ear headphones is a good investment.
Use aids if you have them: If you’ve been diagnosed with some hearing damage and have hearing aids, be sure to use them even if you don’t think you need them. They can reduce the risk of further hearing loss.
Those are a few things you can do to protect your hearing now that may have future benefits. Take care of your ears and they will take care of you!
About eight years ago, Mat Lecompte had an epiphany. He’d been ignoring his health and suddenly realized he needed to do something about it. Since then, through hard work, determination and plenty of education, he has transformed his life. He’s changed his body composition by learning the ins and outs of nutrition, exercise, and fitness and wants to share his knowledge with you. Starting as a journalist over 10 years ago, Mat has not only honed his belief system and approach with practical experience, but he has also worked closely with nutritionists, dieticians, athletes, and fitness professionals. He embraces natural healing methods and believes that diet, exercise and willpower are the foundation of a healthy, happy, and drug-free existence.
