According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), approximately one in five Americans is affected by hearing loss in at least one ear. Furthermore, roughly 20 percent of Americans ages 12 and older live with hearing problems that are serious enough that they can impair communication. This alarmingly common problem not only affects interpersonal relationships but may also have a negative impact on safety, ability to work and self-sufficiency. For people who have already sustained hearing loss, a hearing aid or hearing aids are currently a remedy that is available to better hearing. However, people who have not sustained hearing loss can prevent this troublesome affliction through healthy lifestyle practices. There is a significant link between refined carbohydrates, such as sugar, corn syrups and white flours, and a variety of health problems.
Over time, chronic exposure to excessive noise can damage the tiny bones inside of your ears that are largely responsible for your ability to hear. There are a variety of earplugs available that protect against different levels of noise, but it’s always best to choose those with the highest protection rating. Turn Down the Volume For a lot of people, keeping the volume on the radio or television high is synonymous with a good time. While it may seem like more sound means more fun, it could also mean that you’re damaging your hearing. Even if it’s not intolerably loud, you may still be doing a little damage over time that eventually adds up to hearing loss. To protect your ears and those of the people around you, keep things turned down to an acceptable volume.
It doesn’t have to be loud in order to be enjoyable. Smoking is widely considered to be bad for your lungs, skin and teeth, but did you know that it could also damage your hearing? Studies have linked a chemical in tobacco called cotinine, a metabolite of nicotine, to some types of hearing loss. Good Nutrition Good nutrition is one of the most important ways to protect your hearing. In particular, magnesium, zinc and vitamins B, A, C and E are critical for nervous system health and maintenance. The various antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables have also been shown to prevent sound-induced hearing damage in laboratory studies on some animals.
John O’Connor is a full time husband and father and part time outdoorsman. He is very passionate about healthy aging and living a healthy lifestyle. Checkout his blog, Blogging with John O!