September is Self Improvement Month, which means people are setting goals and finding ways to become better versions of themselves. Whether you decide to take up a new hobby or change up your wardrobe, you should do whatever helps you to become a better you.
One great way to celebrate this month is by choosing to better your hearing health. With this in mind, here are four tips for how to improve your hearing.
1. Take a break from headphones.
Many of us wear headphones on the daily, without thinking about the potential consequences. However, headphones expose our ears to sound levels much higher than our ears are designed to handle.
To put this into perspective, sound is measured in decibels (dB). When our ears are exposed to sound levels above 85 dB, the exposure can kill our hair cells, which results in noise-induced hearing loss. Most headphones at maximum volume can reach sound levels of 110 dB and easily cause permanent damage to your ears.
Even if exposure to louse noises has already done some damage to your ears, it’s never too late to start protecting the hearing you have left. For example, you can wear headphones less frequently, turn down the volume of your TV more often, or choose to expose your ears to dangerous sound levels less often.
2. Adopt a healthy diet.
The United States is currently the number one country for obese and overweight citizens. In fact, the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) assessed how well Americans follow dietary recommendations, and to no surprise, in 2015, Americans only scored a 59 out of 100. As illustrated, most of us could improve our diets, which can also improve the health of our ears.
In 2013, the International Journal of Audiology published a study that explored the relationship between diet and hearing loss. With participants ranging from 20 to 69 years old, the researchers evaluated the relationship between the dietary quality and levels of hearing loss. They found that the better the quality of diet, the lower a person’s risk of having hearing loss.
Adopting better eating habits can aid in improving, or reducing the progression, of hearing loss. Some great vitamins and minerals you may consider incorporating into your diet include folate, magnesium, omega-3s, potassium, Vitamins C and E, and zinc. For more specific recommendations, visit our blog post on What You Should Be Eating to Hear Better.
3. Start exercising regularly.
The American Heart Association recommends each person practice moderately intense activity for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Not only will getting your body moving help you to maintain a healthy weight, but it can improve your overall health and your hearing.
Most of us know that exercise is great for your cardiovascular system, but did you know that improving the health of your heart can also improve your ability to hear? In 2010, the American Journal of Audiology published a study that was conducted over a period of six-decades, which confirmed that poor cardiovascular health can lead to poor hearing health. So, take some time each day to keep that heart pumping, improve your blood flow, and see improvements in your ears’ function!
In addition to your heart, your brain also plays a vital role in your hearing health. This is because your ability to hear requires a partnership between your ears and brain. Just as with your heart, one way to improve brain function is through exercise. Bottom line: Exercise offers many health benefits and is a great way to start improving from the inside out.
4. Purchase a pair of hearing aids.
28.8 million people in the U.S. alone could benefit from hearing aids.
If you already keep dangerous noise levels to a minimum, eat healthy, and exercise, but it’s just not quite enough, you may be one of the many who would benefit from wearing hearing aids.
At Advanced Affordable Hearing, it is our mission to help people like you to hear better at a price you can afford. To get started, visit our Online Hearing Check or call one of our customer service representatives at 1 (800) 804-0434. We look forward to speaking with you!