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Hearing loss affects more than 5% of the world’s population, with one-third of those over 65 suffering from the condition. You have it for life once you have the most common type (sensorineural hearing loss). With that, let’s take a look at some science-backed techniques to keep your hearing in good shape for years to come.
How we hear and how we lose our hearing
Our sensory hair cells are the key to our functioning hearing. They are housed in the cochlea, a shell-like fluid-filled chamber inside the inner ear. Sound waves turn into vibration and go from the inner ear to the cochlea, causing fluid within the cochlea to move. Hair cells detect this movement and send electrical signals to the brain, recognized and interpreted as various sounds. Each hair cell responds to sound at a different frequency.
The hair cells in the cochlea continue to deteriorate and cannot vibrate as effectively as they used to when exposed to noise or a lifetime of use. As a result, sounds are muffled, and speech is difficult to understand. Hearing loss makes it difficult for people to interpret speech because high-frequency hair cells are required for this activity. These cells are the most likely to be lost as we age.
Although hearing loss may appear to be an unavoidable aspect of getting older, there are several effective strategies to protect your ears and ensure that any hearing loss you encounter is modest rather than severe.
Stay positive
According to a study conducted in Canada in 2015, a negative attitude toward aging can harm hearing and memory. The researchers compared people who had a mainly good perspective of their hearing and memory to those who had a poor view of these qualities regarding aging.
According to the study, participants with a negative attitude fared worse on memory and hearing tests. These findings imply that a pessimistic mindset can influence a person’s belief in hearing clearly. Staying positive and confident in your talents can go a long way regarding aging and your hearing.
Stay away from noise
Hearing loss isn’t always caused by old age. A study by a top Canadian researcher looked at young people’s “risky listening habits,” and discovered that many of them are already showing signs of hearing loss. Listening to loud music through headphones and social activities such as attending clubs, concerts, and parties without sufficient hearing protection are all key contributors.
Tinnitus, a ringing in the ears that most typically affects persons over 50, was found to affect more than a fifth of those aged 11 to 17. Because even slight tinnitus can be an early symptom of hidden hearing damage, reducing the volume is vital in preventing hearing loss.
Drink coffee?
In a recent study, researchers at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital found a link between drinking coffee and improved hearing health. It was discovered that consuming coffee could lessen the risk of tinnitus during an 18-year study of 65,085 women. Female participants who took 450 mg or more per day had a decreased risk of acquiring the disease than those who took less than 150 mg per day (the equivalent of one 8-ounce cup of coffee).
Maintain a healthy diet
You knew this one was coming, right? Another study conducted at the same hospital in 2014 found that eating two or more fish per week could reduce the risk of women developing acquired hearing loss. According to the study, women who ate any form of fish at least twice a week had a 20% lower chance of hearing loss than women who rarely ate fish.
An association between iron deficiency anemia and hearing loss has also been discovered. Anemia is a common ailment that affects roughly a third of the world’s population, and it’s thought that a lack of iron might harm the cochlea and nerve connections. Include some meat, brown rice, and a good amount of leafy green vegetables in your diet to keep your iron levels up.
Please contact us if you have any queries concerning your hearing health. We’re delighted to help you!