There are times we count on the impressive technology advances in recognizing signs of hearing loss and in providing innovative hearing products; however, there are also many holistic practices that are quite simple and easy to follow as a small routine in our daily life. As a community in our vast society, we wish to share our experience and knowledge that can help improving everyone overall well-being. For better hearing health, please give yourself a chance to try these lifestyle tips:
Avoid loud noise – The best way to avoid noise-induced hearing loss is to keep away from loud noise environment as much as you can. If you can control the level of loud sound that you are exposed to, you should always try to keep the sound level at recommended level to avoid risk of injury to your hearing in a long run
Protect your ear – when unavoidably exposed to loud noise, be sure to wear personal hearing protections such as earplugs, earmuffs, or both.
Routine ear wax cleaning – You may not be aware, ear wax, also known as cerumen, is a natural defense mechanism that protects the inside of your ear from foreign particles, bacteria, and infection; however, excess ear wax can cause mild hearing loss and discomfort. Regular cleaning of excessive ear wax will allow you to continue to enjoy healthy hearing.
Quit Smoking – Studies show that smoking and hearing loss are undeniably linked. This is because when you smoke, it prevents the flow of healthy oxygen in your blood. Long term exposure to nicotine and cardon monoxide and similar elements found in tobacco smoke can be harmful for your health as well as your hearing ability. Nicotine has been shown to cause ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus.
Know your medication side effects – As we age, we continue to count on healthy diet, health habits, and modern medicines to keep us active with our lifestyle. Many might not know that some common medicines that cause hearing loss are known as ototoxic medicines which tends to develop “sudden”. The first symptoms usually are ringing in the ears which is condition of tinnitus. Hearing usually returns to normal after you stop taking the medicine. But some medicines can cause permanent damage to the inner ear even if you stop taking the medicines. This side effect happened most likely when you take multiple medicines at the same time, be alert to any new hearing problems and inform your doctor of the changes.
Meditation – Some of us might not know or want to put ‘meditation’ in our daily activity. However, it is something that we should seriously consider since our days are filled with one stressful situation or another. There are many benefits of meditation which including, but not limited to, improved blood circulation, lower heart rate/ blood pressure, decrease anxiety/blood cortisol levels, and help reduce symptoms of tinnitus. Tinnitus can be caused by high blood pressure and poor blood circulation in the inner ears, and meditation can help reduce these symptoms. Perhaps the greater benefit, however, is that meditation reduces the stress caused by tinnitus and helps take focus away from the tinnitus symptoms.
Routine exercise – Healthy lifestyle not only benefit your physical fitness, but also the overall well-being, including your hearing ability. Walking, running, jogging, gardening, yoga, tai chi are the many simply workout that you can apply in your daily routine. Moderate exercise has been shown to provide protective benefits to your heart and kidneys, helps reduce your risk for diabetes, heart-related diseases, and hearing loss. Tai chi is the most balanced combination of meditation and exercise which often described as “meditation in motion”. Incapacitated condition exception, from the most fit to people confined to wheelchairs or recovering from surgery, tai chi can be the best form of fitness routine for everybody.
