Hearing loss can significantly affect your health as you age.
It increases the risk of falls and broken bones, impacts cognitive function, and potentially raises the chances of dementia. Protecting your hearing is vital, and there are simple ways to safeguard it daily.
Hearing loss and brain function are closely connected. When hearing declines, it reduces mental stimulation, especially in areas linked to dementia. Everyday sounds work your brain, keeping it engaged. Without that stimulation, cognitive abilities can begin to decline.
Research on adults aged 50 and older found that cognitive test scores noticeably decreased for every 10-decibel drop in hearing. Difficulty hearing can also lead to avoiding conversations, reducing brain exercise, and accelerating cognitive decline.
Once hearing is lost, it’s usually permanent, which is why prevention is so important. One of the best ways to protect your ears is to avoid loud noises. The World Health Organization recommends keeping music volume at 60% or lower and limiting listening sessions to 60 minutes a day.
Avoid using earbuds in noisy environments, like subways. Turning up the volume to drown out background noise can strain your ears. Instead, try finding a quiet spot to take a 10-minute ear break every hour.
Regular check-ups with an ear specialist are also essential. If you notice signs of hearing loss, don’t wait—get it checked right away. Early detection can make hearing aids more effective.
It’s also worth rethinking some lifestyle habits. Alcohol, cigarettes, and even excessive caffeine can irritate your ear nerves and disrupt blood flow. Reducing these can help while eating antioxidant-rich foods(vitamins A, C, and E), supporting ear health.
A study from Severance Hospital found that people aged 50 to 80 who consumed plenty of vitamin C had better hearing than those who didn’t.
For vitamin A, include foods like persimmons, spinach, and chives. Peppers, kiwis, and strawberries are excellent sources of vitamin C, while nuts and fish provide a good dose of vitamin E.
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