INDUSTRY INSIGHT
YOUR HEARING
Who would think that what you eat has anything to do with how you hear ? Good nutrition plays an important part in our whole health picture – why not with our hearing health ? A healthy lifestyle including a balanced diet can certainly help delay or even prevent hearing loss . Over the past two years , I have been educating myself about nutrition in an attempt to get fit , maintain good health , and age gracefully . In my research , I was surprised to find that nutrition even plays a part in our overall hearing health .
Antioxidants act as hearing loss supplements by reducing the number of free radicals swirling through your body . Those free radicals have the potential to damage the nerve tissue in your ears . This can reduce the risk of age-related hearing loss by 20 %! Some researchers claim that antioxidants can help prevent tinnitus ( ringing in the ears ) and damage due to noise exposure . Eat more spinach , asparagus , broccoli , avocado , lentils , beans , eggs , liver , and nuts , which all contain antioxidants , particularly in the form of folic acid .
Zinc deficiencies have been connected to age-related hearing loss . Evidence has shown that inadequate zinc intake may be associated with hearing impairment . Low levels of zinc can also be correlated with perceived loudness of one ’ s tinnitus . Indulge in some dark chocolate , which contains zinc . If you do not enjoy dark chocolate , cooked oysters are another good source of zinc , as well as spinach , cashews , and mushrooms .
Magnesium is known to help expand blood vessels and improve circulation ; it also helps control the release of glutamate , one of the major contributors to noise-induced hearing loss . Magnesium deficiency increases the risk of noise-induced hearing loss . Foods rich in magnesium can help protect the hearing of people with noisy jobs or hobbies subjecting them to intense noises . One study showed that supplementing the diet with magnesium reduced noise-induced hearing loss in men aged 16-37 years . Some foods to reach for that are rich in magnesium include bananas , artichokes , broccoli , squash , potatoes , and soy beans .
Melatonin , which has often been touted as an essential hormone for healthy sleep , is also effective at preventing hearing damage after exposure to loud noise . Researchers have also found melatonin to be effective in protecting against hearing loss due to aging , particularly high-frequency hearing loss . Studies have also shown that melatonin can help provide relief from tinnitus , especially in combination with sulpiride . This is accomplished by diminishing the
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Preventing Hearing Loss with Good Nutrition
This Industry Insight was written by Debra L . Greenberger , owner of Eartique . She received her master ’ s degree in audiology ( hearing science ) from Washington University in St . Louis , Missouri , and she is certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association . Debra has been diagnosing hearing loss and fitting hearing aids for over 25 years .
Leslie A . Dunst , MS / CCC-A , is a Clinical Audiologist who has enjoyed providing diagnostic testing and rehabilitative services for over 25 years . She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in speech pathology and audiology , and her Master of Science degree in audiology from West Virginia University . Leslie is also certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association . Her diverse background spans three states ( Ohio , West Virginia and Pennsylvania ) and includes private practice , ENT offices , and clinical and hospital settings . Leslie is dedicated to providing quality service to her patients and committed to help improve their quality of life by helping them to hear their best . She resides in Peters Township with her husband and 14-year-old son .
activity of dopamine , a chemical in the brain . Foods rich in melatonin are pineapple , bananas , oranges , oats , sweet corn , rice , tomatoes , and barley .
Omega 3 fatty acids may also affect hearing loss . These fats reduce inflammation that can damage sensitive tissues , and they strengthen the blood vessels in our ear ’ s sensory system . Fish that contain vitamin D and omega 3 fats have been demonstrated in research studies to reduce age-related hearing problems . Studies have shown that adults who ate fish twice a week had a 42 % lower chance of facing age-related hearing loss than non-fish eaters . Reach for salmon , trout , tuna , or anchovies . Other foods rich in omega 3 are chia seeds , flaxseed , walnuts , beans , olive oil , and coconut oil .
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to problems with the Cochlea ( hearing organ ). A lack of vitamin D is known to produce a weakening of bone density , which can even arise in the minuscule bones in your ears , increasing your chances for hearing loss . Foods to look for with vitamin D are milk , salmon , tofu , eggs , and mushrooms .
Potassium is another player in maintaining our hearing health . The ear is particularly sensitive to the drop in potassium levels we experience as we age . Foods that contain potassium can help protect against age-related hearing loss and may even help prevent noiserelated hearing loss . Look for potassium in bananas , apricots , melons , oranges , and spinach .
This gives us some food for thought , if you ’ ll pardon the expression . Food matters ! The quality and quantity of the food you eat does impact your hearing . Many studies report that people who consumed better quality calories had better hearing .
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