What Can You do to Support Optimal Hearing?

As we age, our senses may begin to age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hearing loss is the third most common chronic physical condition in the U.S. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders reports that 1 in 3 Americans aged 65 to 74 have hearing loss and about half of people older than 75 have hearing loss. 
 
What can you do to support optimal hearing? 

• Drink 8 glasses of water daily
• Do not smoke
• Manage your stress
• Protect your ears (e.g., wear earplugs, avoid loud music, avoid using cotton swabs)
• Get regular hearing exams

 
Choosing foods that are high in potassium (e.g., banana, pineapple, spinach), magnesium (e.g., almond, avocado, broccoli), zinc (e.g., shellfish, cashews, whole grains), folic acid (e.g., beans, lentils, citrus fruits), omega-3 fatty acids (e.g., salmon, sardines walnuts), and antioxidants (e.g., berries, leafy greens) can help support good hearing. 
 
Furthermore, Nancy Mitchell, RN explains the importance of remaining hydrated. “Drinking enough fluid ensures your body, including your inner ears, stays hydrated. Sufficient hydration supports your blood circulation and drives oxygen to your ears. As a result, that maintains your auditory functions and promotes overall health.” It’s imperative to drink enough water, especially during the summer months and doing outdoor activities.
 
Additionally, getting regular exercise is also important, not only to support good hearing but for optimal health as well. When you think about exercise, you probably think about running or going to the gym. However, exercise can come in various forms. Finding an activity that you enjoy that is also a form of exercise is the best way to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. 
 
Mitchell Nyser of Hartford HealthCare says, “Exercise doesn’t have to be boring. And your exercise journey does not have to look like someone else’s. Your fitness goals are forever changing for one reason or another, so do the activities that you enjoy.”
 
What are some fun ways to get in your exercise and the resulting benefits?

1. Ping Pong
   1. Increases strength and hand-eye coordination
   2. Positive cognitive benefits
2. Swimming
   1. Minimal risk of injury
   2. Exercises all parts of the body
   3. Good exercise for those with joint pain
3. Dancing
   1. Light-to-moderate cardio
   2. Social activity
4. Golf
   1. Core strength and balance
5. Gardening
   1. Moves your body
   2. Gets you outside and in the fresh air

 
As we age and lose our mobility, exercising may look different – e.g., taking short walks, using low weights while sitting, and utilizing bike pedals.
 
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​​Written by Madison Chalmers

Image by asierromero on Freepik