EXERCISE MAY BE GOOD FOR YOUR EARS, TOO!

November 20, 2019

How much exercise do you get in a typical week? Whether it’s a run around the block, a long walk around the mall or a trip to the gym, we all know that movement is good for our bodies, but did you know it may be good for your hearing as well?

Recent studies have shown that about 1 in 5 US adults and 1 in 3 senior age Americans suffer from hearing loss. Hearing loss can influence more than just hearing: research shows more incidences of dementia, depression and social isolation when hearing loss plays a role. Hearing damage may make work more difficult as well, which can lead to even more problems as income decreases. Because hearing damage is irreversible, it is crucial to slow or prevent hearing loss before it becomes a major factor.

The ear’s components can break down with aging, and that can lead to various forms of hearing damage. Research has shown, however, that mice who were involved in exercise programs had an average of 5% hearing loss as they got older, as compared with sedentary mice who had 20% hearing loss.

Capillaries in the ears deliver blood and oxygen that protect the cochlea and other surrounding components. Movement and exertion boosts blood circulation, which preserves these capillaries. If you can get your heart pumping just a few times a week, even if it is just a brisk walk down the block, you can preserve your hearing for years to come (not to mention the other health benefits).

According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, 20% of US adults don’t get enough exercise. Exercise has many recognized health advantages and preventing hearing damage is just one more!

Getting your body moving as much as you can is valuable for many reasons: aerobic activity increases oxygen to every cell of the body, and slows aging! Exercise is shown to help you recover faster from illness, improves your skin, boost mood, and promoting better brain health. It can also give you better sleep at night and more energy during the day.

Moving your body and increasing heart rate for just 16 minutes per day, 3 times a week will improve health and result in these benefits. We all know that getting exercise will promote a lean figure and overall health. And the good news is many people get better results from short exercise sessions rather than time-consuming cardiovascular workouts. Keep moving as much as you can during the day to get the most benefit. If setting a goal, such as 10,000 steps per day, motivates you—do that! There are plenty of fitness trackers and apps that can help.

A healthy diet of whole foods (without processed food) will maximize nutrients and contribute to healthy hearing and a healthy body. Other tips to protect your hearing are to avoid noisy environments and to train your brain with listening exercises so your brain can interpret sound better.

Always do an annual hearing test, so you can catch any changes early. We may not notice these gradual changes in hearing ability on our own until damage is done.

The first step to halting hearing loss and preventing further damage is to recognize your situation. Come in today for a hearing screening and formulate a strategy to train your brain to listen actively and effectively.

Diablo Hearing Services   2301 Camino Ramon, STE 106   San Ramon (925) 394-4646

read more

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *