Hearing plays a role in a person’s quality of life. When their hearing fails, they cannot live a connected life. People use their ears continuously but rarely stop to think about hearing health. They must protect their ears, and the following healthy habits will help.
Loud Noises
Loud noises are a leading cause of hearing loss, and many people don’t realize their hearing is deteriorating due to exposure. Take a free online hearing test, and the results may be surprising. Loud environments damage the auditory system, so earplugs or noise-canceling headphones should be used whenever possible.
Limit Volume
Countless individuals today use personal earbuds or headphones with their devices. Listening at high volumes can damage hearing. People should limit their volume to 60 percent and minimize usage to 60 minutes. The ears need time to recover, and taking regular breaks helps reduce the risk of damage.
Dry Ears
Any moisture in the ears can cause an infection and harm hearing health. Always dry the ears thoroughly after showing or swimming to prevent infection. Swimmers should purchase custom-made swim plugs to ensure water doesn’t enter the ear canal and remain there. Swimmer’s ear and other ear infections can lead to temporary hearing loss. Protecting the ears from water reduces the risk of these issues.
Healthy Diet
A person’s diet impacts their hearing health. Eating foods high in potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants protects the ears from harm. Magnesium reduces a person’s risk of hearing loss due to loud noises, and potassium regulates inner ear fluid for proper hearing function. Support the ears by eating more bananas, nuts, fish, and leafy greens. People must also remain hydrated to maintain the correct fluid balance in the ears. This fluid balance plays a role in hearing, so every person should drink water throughout the day.
Regular Exercise
Exercise improves hearing health by increasing blood flow to the ears. This blood flow helps the auditory system function optimally. Walking is something anyone can do to improve their hearing health today.
No Cotton Swabs
Kids used to be told they shouldn’t put anything smaller than their elbows in their ears. More people need to hear that today. Cotton swabs can harm the ears rather than help them. The cotton swab pushes wax deep into the ear canal. When this happens, a blockage may occur, or the eardrum could be damaged. Earwax protects the ear canal from harm, so a person should have their ears professionally cleaned to protect their hearing health.
Rest the Ears
People regularly exposed to loud environments need to give their ears a break. Noise tires the auditory system, so it is necessary to rest the ears periodically and allow them to recover. This will improve hearing health.
Stress and Hearing Health
Chronic stress can affect a person’s hearing. Individuals who experience high levels of stress and anxiety are at higher risk of tinnitus. Managing stress with the help of yoga, deep breathing exercises, or other methods can reduce the risk of stress-related hearing problems.
Every person needs to protect their ears, as hearing is essential to a high quality of life. These habits can help people safeguard their ears from damage while improving their hearing. They can enjoy the sounds of daily life and their loved ones’ voices. Schedule a hearing test so you can do the same.