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Hearing loss is hard to pin down. For some people, it occurs naturally as we get older (presbycusis), while for others, it may seemingly appear one day out of the blue. Seemingly is the operative word here, because hearing loss is often the result of a gradual accumulation of exposure to loud sounds or unhealthy habits. Learn more about habits that you could cut out to protect your hearing.
Habit #1: Smoking Cigarettes
Lung cancer, heart disease, second-hand smoke that harms your loved ones, you’ve heard the reasons. But do you need another reason to quit smoking today? It could lead to permanent hearing loss. The hair cells of your inner ear are responsible for translating sound vibrations into neural messages that are received by your brain as sound. Chemicals from cigarettes could harm your inner ear hair cells, which could lead to permanent hearing loss. Worse, second-hand smoke could lead to hearing loss in your loved ones as well. Studies have found that young people exposed to second-hand smoke are two times more likely to experience hearing loss.
Smoking also causes the constriction of your veins and arteries. Our sense of hearing relies on a healthy flow of oxygenated blood, which ensures that the inner ear functions properly. When your circulatory system is jeopardized by smoking, this could also lead to permanent hearing loss.
Solution: Quit smoking. It may seem daunting, but you’re not alone. There are many programs available through health services to aid you in quitting. If you’d prefer to take a more personal approach, look for apps that help you quit smoking. To learn more, check out the CDC’s list of resources.
Habit #2: Avoiding The Dentist
Many of us have been instilled with a deep fear of the dentist from a young age, but this is one fear worth overcoming. Aside from daily flossing and brushing, regular cleanings from the dentist are crucial to your health and well-being. For the most part, when your teeth and mouth are healthy, you’ll avoid infections. Tooth cavities are more susceptible to becoming infected, which could lead to incredibly painful swelling and eventually, a root canal. Prevention is key when it comes to dental care. Once infection has made its way through your bloodstream, from your mouth, it can affect other parts of your body – and your ears are a close stop from your mouth!
Solution: Schedule a dental check-up and cleaning as soon as possible! Bring a loved one for support if you really hate going to the dentist.
Habit #3: Earbuds All Day Every Day
It’s easy to be plugged in with our earbuds these days. From a morning exercise at the gym to a commute to work to watching your favorite TV shows in bed, earbuds provide convenient and portable access to sound. Unfortunately, earbuds are terrible for your hearing. The proximity of the earbuds to your eardrum, deep within your ear canal, creates conditions where sounds are equivalent to those of a coal mine. When our electronics have longer battery lives and more sophisticated sound technology, we can listen all day. However, this practice could lead to permanent hearing damage, from exposure to loud sounds.
Solution: Invest in a pair of noise-canceling headphones, which are better at canceling out extraneous sounds, so that you don’t have to crank up the volume. Hearing specialists recommend listening to audio at no more than 60% volume, for no more than 60 minutes at a time (the 60-60 rule). Be sure to take frequent breaks!
Habit #4: An Imbalanced Diet
Studies have shown that a well-balanced diet, rich in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, could go a long way to supporting better hearing health. One study found that people who eat two or more portions of fish (tuna, salmon, and sardines) a week are 42% less likely to develop presbycusis. Omega-3 fatty acids, commonly found in these fish, provide anti-inflammatory properties to protect against hearing loss. At the University of Michigan, researchers found that foods rich in antioxidants and vitamins could protect your hearing, especially after exposure to loud sounds.
Solution: Incorporate omega-3 fatty acids into your diet with salmon, tuna, and sardines. Add foods rich in Vitamins A, C, and E, magnesium, and antioxidants into your diet as well: carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, cantaloupe, spinach, apricot, papaya, strawberries, broccoli, and dark leafy greens.
Habit #5: Skipping Your Annual Hearing Test
When’s the last time you took a hearing test? Hearing tests are an important part of maintaining hearing health – they give you a good idea of your hearing abilities each year. People over the age of 50 are recommended to begin annual hearing tests. If there are changes in your hearing ability, your hearing specialist will be able to recommend treatment immediately. By treating hearing loss early, you continue to stay connected to your loved ones and the world around you.
Solution: What’re you waiting for? Schedule a hearing test at Hearing Spa of Florida! At Hearing Spa of Florida, we provide comprehensive hearing tests in Bradenton and Sarasota. To ensure healthy hearing, contact us at Hearing Spa of Florida today!
