If you’ve noticed that you do not hear as well as you used to, you are most likely experiencing hearing loss. Hearing loss is usually caused by actions and lifestyle factors you probably didn’t know were detrimental to your hearing health. The truth is many forms of hearing loss, and hearing loss side effects can be avoided by making simple lifestyle changes that focus on taking care of your aural health. This article looks at six surprising yet effective tips that will help you keep your hearing.
Manage your blood pressure
A constant high blood pressure is harmful. According to a study, people who have higher-than-average blood pressure are 52% more likely to develop hearing loss and other health problems. Therefore, if you experience high blood pressure, it is vital to talk to your doctor for advice on stabilizing it. Lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding and managing stress effectively are great ways of managing your high blood pressure. Reduce your blood pressure to save your hearing from being damaged.
Quit smoking
If you’ve wanted to give up smoking, here’s another reason why you should: smokers are 15 percent more likely to experience some kind of hearing loss. Even worse, people who are consistently exposed to second-hand smoke have a 28% higher chance of developing hearing problems. Second-hand smoke’s adverse effects are not only toxic, but they also persist in the air for a long time. If you’re a smoker, consider quitting to protect your hearing. Take steps to reduce your exposure to second-hand smoke if you spend time with a smoker.
Keep your diabetes under control
One in every four adults has diabetes or pre-diabetes. A pre-diabetic person is likely to develop diabetes within five years unless they make significant lifestyle adjustments.
High blood sugar damages blood vessels, causing them to transfer nutrients inefficiently. Compared to non-diabetics, people with diabetes are more than twice as likely to experience hearing loss. If you have diabetes, take the necessary actions to manage it to safeguard your hearing. If you’re at risk for type 2 diabetes, you can protect your hearing by making lifestyle adjustments.
Lose some weight
It’s more about your health than feeling good about your appearance. As your BMI rises, so does your risk of hearing loss and other health issues. Hearing loss is 17 percent more likely in a somewhat obese woman (with a BMI of 30 to 34). The risk increases to 25% for someone with a BMI of 40 (moderate obesity). Take steps to lose the weight you’ve gained. Even something as simple as walking for 30 minutes every day can help you avoid hearing loss and live longer.
OTC medicine shouldn’t be overused
Certain over-the-counter (OTC) drugs can cause hearing loss. The bigger the danger, the more frequently these treatments are taken over a long period. Hearing loss has been caused by medications such as naproxen, acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen. If you need to take these medications more regularly, do so only with your doctor’s approval. According to studies, you should be fine if you take these medications regularly in the recommended quantities. However, when these medicines are taken daily, the risk of hearing loss increases to 40% for males. Always adhere to your doctor’s advice. If you take these drugs every day, your doctor may be able to advise some lifestyle modifications that can help you become less reliant on them.
Eat more broccoli
Broccoli is high in iron, and other important minerals, including vitamins C and K. Iron is necessary for proper blood circulation and heart health. Iron aids in delivering nutrients and oxygen to cells, ensuring that they remain nourished and healthy. It’s vital to get adequate plant-based iron if you’re a vegetarian or eat very little meat. Because plant-based iron is less bioavailable than meat-based iron, people in this group are more iron deficient. Pennsylvania State University looked into the lives of over 300,000 people. The researchers discovered that people with anemia (severe iron shortage) were twice as likely to have sensorineural hearing loss as people who didn’t have the condition. The scientific term for permanent hearing loss caused by the aging process is sensorineural hearing loss. Sound is received and sent to the brain by sensitive inner ear hairs that vibrate in response to the frequency and volume of the sound. These tiny hairs will go forever if they perish due to an iron deficit or poor circulation.