Don’t Want To Loose Your Hearing? Here’s What You Need To Do Right Now

Don’t Want To Loose Your Hearing? Here’s What You Need To Do Right Now - Hearing loss doesn’t only happen to seniors. There are things you can do right now that may help you prevent hearing loss. These are recent scientific research on hearing loss that may help you maintain or preserve you hearing.

Turn down the volume

This is a classic and one that makes common sense. But with the introduction of super funky earphones and technologically advanced headphones, this tip bears reminding.

A 2015 study carried out by a leading Canadian researcher cautioned young people on the dangers of loud music.

After looking at early hearing damage in young people aged 11 to 17 year-old, the results showed that by engaging in “risky listening habits,” such as going to parties, clubs and listening to loud music on personal listening devices, more than a quarter (28%) were already experiencing persistent tinnitus, a ringing or buzzing in the ears that more commonly affects those over 50.

Those who experienced persistent tinnitus were more likely to have a significantly reduced tolerance for loud noise, a sign of hidden damage to the nerves that are used to transmit sounds to the brain. And with even brief and temporary tinnitus an early warning sign of hidden damage, turning down the volume is one way to help prevent hearing loss.

Drink coffee

Eat more fish

Another study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital found in a 2014 study that two or more servings of fish per week could lower women’s risk of acquired hearing loss.

The large cohort study, which looked at a total 65,215 women, showed that women who consumed any type of fish – tuna, dark fish, light fish, or shellfish – at least twice a week showed a 20% lower risk of hearing loss than the women who seldom ate fish.

The team commented that although a decline in hearing is often considered an inevitable aspect of ageing, their findings suggest that diet may be one way of helping prevent a decline.

A 2014 study conducted at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston found that drinking coffee could reduce the risk of tinnitus.

After following 65,085 female participants for 18 years, the researchers found that compared with women whose caffeine intake was less than 150 mg/d (equal to one 8-ounce cup of coffee), those who consumed 450 mg/d or more had a lower risk of developing the condition.

Think positively about ageing

The results of a 2015 Canadian study suggested that when older adults feel negatively about ageing, these feelings can have a negative impact on their hearing and also memory.

After looking at participants’ views on ageing, their own perceptions of their memory and hearing abilities, and their actual memory and hearing performance, the team found that negative views on getting older were linked with a poor performance in memory and hearing tests.

The team suggested that a negative view can impact an individual’s confidence in their ability to function, and concluded that, “Knowing that changing how older adults feel about themselves could improve their abilities to hear and remember will enable the development of interventions to improve their quality of life.”