Some compelling studies directly link a lack of specific nutrients and hearing loss. It is believed that these vitamins and minerals work to protect your hearing. For example, free radicals in your body can prevent you from hearing certain high frequencies.
How Poor Nutrition Impacts Hearing
Your hearing can be affected if your diet lacks certain nutrients and consists mainly of harmful fats, sugars and salts. This is true for adults. And especially in children. One study has found that a lack of nourishment slows down the processes needed for inner ear health in growing kids. Fortunately, it isn’t challenging to get what you need for good ear health. A specific group of vitamins and minerals has been identified to keep ear issues at bay and maintain ear health.
So, Can Nutrition Help Hearing?
What you eat can greatly affect pretty much everything that goes on in your body. If you eat junk food, your body lacks certain vitamins and minerals and processes harmful chemicals. A lack of specific nutrients, mostly vitamin B12 and folic acid, has been shown to affect hearing by as much as 39%. To lower the risk of hearing loss, it is advised that you eat a healthy and varied diet. Your diet should include antioxidants, potassium, folic acid, zinc and magnesium.
A Diet that Can Help Your Hearing
There are many nutrients you should consume for overall health. Nutrients contribute to the proper function of all your internal organs. And this includes your ears. Changing your diet will help. However, you should see your general practictioner first before making big changes. These foods will help:
- Antioxidant-rich foods such as blueberries, broccoli, spinach and other leafy greens.
- Certain fish, such as salmon, contain Omega-3 and 6, which help prevent otosclerosis.
- Superfoods like bananas contain a lot of potassium, which is helpful as you age.
- Garlic is great for your heart, but it’s also shown to reduce ear inflammation.
- You might be glad to know that chocolate contains antioxidants and magnesium.
There are many other foods that will help. But if you are unsure, a good tip is to vary your diet to include as many colors as possible. Eating the rainbow, as they say, is the simplest way to ensure you get a good balance of the vitamins and minerals your body and ears need.
The Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) of Certain Nutrients
Amusingly, the estimated average requirement refers to the number of vitamins and minerals your body needs per day, much like the recommended daily allowance (RDA). Ear health, and overall health, vary by age, gender and lifestyle. So, you should aim to meet certain EAR recommendations for certain nutrients. This value is different based on various factors. But there are general guidelines and dosages for most of the minerals and vitamins you need.
Can Diet Prevent Hearing Loss?
Your diet plays a key role in ear health. Studies show that what you eat can damage your hearing if you consume a diet low in certain nutrients. On the other hand, a balanced diet high in nutrients can protect your ears and prevent hearing loss. Consuming B12 and folic acid can prevent 20% of hearing loss as you age. Eating a diet that also includes fruit will contribute to better overall hearing and improve the health of your inner ear and its development.
Tips for Ear Health
Your ears and their health are important. Yet because they are out of sight and out of mind, it can be hard to remember them. And in most cases, you won’t even realize you are losing your hearing. Because of this, it’s important to remember these tips for good ear health:
- Wear earplugs if you are often exposed to loud sounds.
- Don’t listen to music at loud volumes.
- Don’t use cotton swabs in your ears.
- Try to stay active and exercise often.
- Eat a nutrient-rich diet that includes B12 and folic acid.
If you experience hearing loss on a profound level, it could be because you are damaging them. But if you take care of your ears as described, you can minimize damage and age-related loss.
Remember, Hearing Loss is Normal
Hearing loss, unless it is sudden, due to damage or painful, isn’t anything to worry about. As you age, your ears function with less efficiency, like the rest of your body. The point is that hearing loss is normal. Of course, there are things you can do to maintain your hearing, such as eating a healthy diet with minimal free radicals. But in general, there isn’t much you can do about it. This is why you should see an audiologist regularly and have your ears tested.
See An Audiologist About Nutrition and Hearing
Your diet plays a key role in maintaining the health of your ears. But even if you stick to a recommended nutrient-rich diet, a regular examination is recommended. Your local audiologist can offer expert advice about your hearing-related diet and begin any other treatment you need. Please book your appointment by calling Norriton Hearing Center at (610) 228-2779 today.
