As we age, most of us can expect to have a slight loss in our hearing. However, not all hearing issues are age-related. There are many things that could be impairing your hearing, including stress, allergies, and wax buildup. If you are having trouble hearing, your first action should be to visit your doctor to find out if there is a medical reason behind your loss.
According to Helix Hearing Care, much of the hearing loss that affects adults is due to a lack of proper circulation. When the delicate vessels in the ear are not getting enough blood flow, the nerves cannot process sound in an effective way. Healthy eating habits and exercise can help improve your overall circulation and keep your ears healthy.
In a world that is buzzing with ambient noise pollution and earbuds that pump high decimal music directly into our ears, it’s no surprise that many younger adults are dealing with hearing loss. It’s essential to see a specialist if you feel like you are losing some of your hearing ability. Let’s take a look at a few ways that you can improve your hearing naturally.
1. Wax Removal
Your hearing loss could simply be due to a buildup of wax in the ear canal in many cases. Wax is a natural substance that helps to lubricate and protect the inner ear. However, sweat, dirt, and dead skin cells can often cause excess waxy residue. This wax can block sound and vibration from being correctly processed by the eardrum, making it harder to hear.
The simplest way to clean your ears is by gently using a cotton-tipped swab. If you can’t get all the wax with an ear swab, you can use a few drops of castor or olive oil in your ears to be left overnight. The oils will help soften the wax and make it easier to remove. Another method is to use ear candling, which uses a flame and heat-created suction to safely pull wax out of the ear canal.
2. Quit Smoking
Smoking can be the cause of many health problems, including impaired hearing. Smoking interferes with your circulatory system making it harder for blood to enter your ear tissues. Smoking can also lead to high blood pressure, which can be directly related to hearing loss. If you want to improve your hearing, it’s time to kick the smoking habit.
3. Destress
Stress is very tough on your body. One of the best ways to improve your overall health, including your hearing, is to try to relax and eliminate stress triggers from your life. When your body is under stress, it releases a chemical called dynorphins, which can cause inflammation all over your body, including your ear tissues. Chronic inflammation in the ears can result in tinnitus, a constant ringing sensation that can exasperate your hearing issues.
4. Exercise
Regular exercise is the best way to keep all parts of your body in good shape, including your ears. To maintain your hearing, your system needs to be fed large amounts of oxygen. Participating in aerobic exercise for just 30 minutes a day can keep your mind and heart-healthy. Brain function is key to maintaining your hearing, and regular exercise can help to improve your cognitive ability and keep your hearing in check.
Yoga is one of the most beneficial exercises for your mind and body. Specific yoga poses, including triangle, lotus, and cobra help to increase the circulation in your inner ear, improve your hearing, and stimulate proper blood flow.
5. Diet
We all know that our health is governed by what we feed our bodies. Some foods rich in vitamins and nutrients can be beneficial to your hearing. At the same time, other foods tend to promote inflammation leading to problems with your ears.
Foods for Healthy Hearing
- Fruits and vegetables
- Complex carbohydrates
- Nuts and seeds
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Ginger
- Cinnamon
Foods That Can Lead to Hearing Loss
- Oily fatty foods
- Dairy
- Processed foods
- Saturated fats
6. Sleep
Sleeping is a natural way that your body recuperates. If you are not getting enough sleep or suffer from sleep apnea, you may have issues with your hearing. A lack of sleep can result in inflammation to your soft tissues, including your inner ear, making it harder to hear and process higher pitched noises. If you struggle with sleep issues like insomnia or apnea, you should talk to your doctor before the damage to your ears becomes permanent.
7. Supplements
If you enjoy a healthy diet, you may still not be getting the specific nutrients you need to maintain your hearing health. If you are struggling with your hearing, you may want to add one of these natural supplements to your diet that have proved to help with mild hearing loss.
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Hawthorn berry
- Marjoram
- Ginkgo biloba
8. Antihistamines
Your ears, nose, and throat are all connected by the inner tissues of your head and throat. When one area is inflamed or irritated, it can affect the others. If you have a cold, flu, or allergies, you may notice that you have trouble hearing, and your ears feel like they are plugged. During allergy season, the membranes of your ears, throat, and nose can become easily inflamed and swollen by pollens and other irritants. To help relieve the swelling and improve your hearing, you can try an antihistamine that reduces your swelling.
9. See Your Doctor
Not all hearing issues will lead to permanent losses. If you have noticed that you haven’t been able to hear and normally do, it’s essential to see your doctor. There are many reasons for hearing loss, so consult with your doctor before trying any treatment on your own.
10. Hearing Aids
If your hearing loss is permanent or age-related, you may want to consider using hearing aids. Today’s hearing aids are innovatively designed to be small and comfortable. You can be fitted with the proper hearing aids for you when you visit your doctor.
Experiencing problems with your hearing can be inconvenient and scary. Most hearing loss can be treated and even reversed with the proper treatment. Try some of these tips to help improve your hearing and visit your doctor today to put you on the road to better hearing.
