If you pay attention to news programs, media publications or public health announcements, you know that regular exercise will benefit your overall health. You may not know, however, that getting daily physical exercise can benefit your hearing as well!
Hearing loss is a big problem these days! It has been estimated that about 20% of American adults have some degree of hearing loss, with the elderly population most effected. Now, as everyone has earbuds in their ears for a large part of the day, that incidence is rising and becoming more prevalent in younger populations as well.
And hearing loss can also present bigger problems: with hearing loss comes greater rates of depression, social isolation and even dementia. And if you are working every day, hearing loss can also affect your job, causing more communication difficulties and possibly even leading to lower salaries.
Preventing hearing loss is very important because hearing damage is irreversible. It is also cumulative: so every chance you get to prevent hearing loss and protect your hearing will contribute to your long-term hearing health.
A recent study showed that mice that got daily exercise lost their hearing an average of 5% as they age, compared with sedentary mice who had a 20% decline in hearing.
It turns out that our ears can deteriorate with age, which may result in hearing loss.
Adequate blood flow is vital to the capillaries in our ears, which protect the cochlea and other parts of the ear. Physical exertion increases circulation, which keeps these capillaries healthy. Getting your heart pumping a few times a week can preserve your hearing for years to come!
Physical exercise has many health benefits–and preventing hearing loss is just one more!
Did you know that aerobic exercise slows aging by increasing oxygen to every cell of the body? Regular exercise can also to help you recover faster from illness, improve the appearance and health of your skin, boost your mood, and make your brain sharper. Exercise also helps you to have more energy throughout the day and better sleep at night!
Just in case you are dreading long cardio sessions at the gym, these benefits can be seen in as little as 3 times per week, 16 minutes a day! The good news is many people get better results from short exercise sessions than time-consuming cardiovascular workouts.Try to keep yourself as active as possible throughout the day, by parking further away from the store to get more steps in, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. If a fitness tracker or app will motivate you, they are inexpensive and easy to use!
Cutting out processed food and only eating fresh, organic meals will help you reach your health goals and feel great. And don’t forget to protect your hearing whenever in a noisy environment by using ear plugs!
Another easy way to protect your hearing is your yearly hearing evaluation. It’s the best way to catch any changes to your hearing as soon as possible.
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