For general questions, please send us a message and we’ll get right back to you. You can also call us directly to speak with a member of our service team.
Any health problem is easier to prevent than to cure later. This also applies to hearing loss. However, most people do not think about their health until they encounter a problem.
As we have noted many times in our articles, hearing loss is a fairly common problem among the US population. And the number of people who encounter hearing loss is constantly growing. Unfortunately, hearing problems are not just tied to the idea of getting older. According to statistics, young people are increasingly faced with this problem. The reasons can vary, from loud music to noise at work. How to stop the trend? Preventive measures and annual hearing tests should be followed to help identify hearing loss at an early stage.
Maintaining healthy hearing is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. Let’s take a look at how a healthy diet and vitamin intake can significantly reduce the risk of hearing loss. It’s a very important question because such simple preventive measures are available to every American!
What about a healthy diet and hearing loss?
Good eating habits can guarantee health. With food, a person receives the necessary trace elements for the body, which serve as building materials for its renewal. By consuming healthy food, a person feels a surge of energy, looks great, and is in a good mood. At the same time, improper diet can cause significant harm to human health at any age. This is reflected in a decrease in the level of physical and mental development, rapid fatigue, deterioration of immunity, decreased performance, and even hearing loss!
Are nutrients and hearing loss related? Some of the things that cause hearing loss are the result of other health problems. For example, vascular disease can lead to the death of hair cells due to inadequate nutrition. As a result, a person develops sensorineural hearing loss. A person with a weak immune system is more prone to infectious diseases, which have several complications, including hearing loss. Do not forget about age-related changes. The faster the body ages, the more pronounced the consequences of such changes, including age-related hearing loss. We even dedicated a separate article on the relationship between stress and hearing loss!
During stress, the body produces the hormone adrenaline, which redistributes blood, directing most of it to vital organs and muscles. Chronic circulatory disorders lead to receptor death and, consequently, to the development of sensorineural hearing loss. Thus, stress affects hearing.
Having good health, a person minimizes the likelihood of any problems, including hearing loss. In addition, a healthy diet plays a very important role in the formation and maintenance of healthy body functioning. Thus, diet and hearing loss are closely related.
Scientists from Brigham and Women’s Hospital published the results of a three-year study that examined the factors that contribute to the development of hearing problems. They found that women whose dietary patterns were closer to a healthy diet were almost 30 percent less likely to have hearing loss than people who did not watch their diet. For more information on the study and its results, follow the link:
30% is an impressive figure that shows how many people can maintain their hearing simply by following a healthy diet!
What vitamins and minerals should be included in the daily diet?
Are you worried about your health or the health of your loved ones? Don’t want to have hearing problems? As you might have guessed, vitamins and hearing loss are related. Dr. Stella Fulman, our leading hearing care professional, has compiled a list of vitamins and minerals to include in your daily diet to avoid future hearing problems.
Zinc against sudden hearing loss
One of the causes of sudden hearing loss is a viral infection or immunological disease. Zinc has anti-viral properties and reduces the likelihood of getting sick again. Zinc also has immunostimulating properties, allowing the body to quickly cope with an infectious disease. Plus, adding zinc to your diet can help reduce oxidative stress in the inner ear and speed up hearing recovery. The best foods containing the element in its natural form are beef (organic), seafood, pumpkin seeds, ground sesame seeds, spinach, almonds, sea vegetables, cashews, cheddar cheese.
Magnesium against tinnitus
Magnesium is an essential mineral for people exposed to prolonged exposure to noise. The supplement neutralizes glutamate, which is one of the causes of hearing impairment due to noisy environments. The mineral acts as a kind of protective barrier for hair cells. Besides, magnesium dilates blood vessels and improves blood circulation. Scientific studies prove the effectiveness of magnesium in the fight against hearing loss.
You will find the element in the following foods: peanuts, pine nuts, sunflower seeds, almonds, dates (dried), beans, etc.
Potassium and age-related hearing loss
The potassium is extremely important for our hearing ability. The thing is that it is responsible for regulating the amount of fluid in the blood and body tissues. The cochlea is actually a membranous valve filled with fluid. It aids in the transfer of a sound signal from outside to the brain for sound recognition and comprehension. Since potassium levels naturally decline with age, this may be one of the causes of age-related hearing loss. Scientific research also confirms this data. You will find sufficient potassium in the following foods: potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, lima beans, raisins, apricots, bananas, melon, orange, as well as yogurt and milk. These products fit perfectly into the diet of almost any person, just remember to consume them regularly.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C has an antioxidant effect on our body. This helps control free radicals and prevents damage to hair cells. In addition, it has a beneficial effect on our immune system, which reduces the risk of ear infections. You will find vitamin in the following foods: dark leafy greens (dill, spinach, and chard), cabbage, kiwi, broccoli, berries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, peas, and papaya.
Vitamin B12
The scientific study shows that vitamin B12 deficiency increases the risk of noise-related hearing loss, tinnitus, and age-related hearing loss. Therefore, it is very important to maintain the required level of this element in the blood. Animal products are sources of the vitamin. These include fish, red meat, milk, yogurt, cheese, etc.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an excellent antioxidant and improves blood circulation. Naturally, this also applies to the structure of the ear, which in turn has a beneficial effect on its health and functional capabilities. The complex of vitamins E and C effectively fight against sudden sensorineural hearing loss. A scientific study showed that the vitamin complex improved hearing in 63% of patients who participated in the study. It’s a great result! Vitamin E should be found in foods such as nuts (almonds, hazelnuts), seeds, and oils.
Fish fat
Fish oil contains an extremely high amount of Omega 3, which is essential for the proper metabolism and functioning of the body. It is indeed a very important substance, without which the human body begins to malfunction. Therefore, doctors recommend fish oil as a daily supplement for overall health promotion. Surprisingly, scientists note that Omega 3 reduces the risk of hearing loss. They have done several studies, which support information. You can familiarize yourself with one of them in detail here:
Therefore, be sure to include fish in your diet. It will help you avoid many health problems!
A healthy diet and hearing loss prevention isn’t just words. By eating right, you will greatly reduce the chances of hearing loss. For this reason, hearing care professionals recommend taking care not only of your hearing but your lifestyle and speak to your primary about a proper diet for you. Proper vitamin intake can help to normalize the body’s work, and has a beneficial effect on the entire human organism as a whole.
About Dr Stella Fulman
Dr. Stella Fulman, AU.D., CCC-A received her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Audiology from Brooklyn College in 2004 and her Doctorate of Audiology from Salus University in 2008. [ Learn More ]
