Could your diet help lower the risk of hearing loss?

There is no doubt in anyone's mind that a healthy diet is good for everyone. However, recent research has found that what you eat can impact the health of your ears! Let us take a closer look at how diet and hearing are linked.

Diet and Hearing Loss Research

Changing your diet and consuming healthy foods can help you look and feel better while reducing your chance of hearing loss.

According to an initial study conducted at Brigham and Women's Hospital, specific diets can significantly impact your overall health and hearing.

The study's lead author, Sharon Curhan, MD, adds that the goal was to uncover modifiable risk factors for hearing loss, or variables that can be changed, such as diet or exercise. Knowing about these aspects can assist you in making the best decisions for your hearing health.

"The advantages of following healthy dietary patterns have been linked to a variety of positive health outcomes," Curhan said, "and eating a balanced diet may also help minimize the chance of hearing loss."

Audiologists examined their hearing multiple times over three years to see how nutrition affected their hearing. The research was carried out in 19 different places across the United States. Women in their 50s and 60s took part in the study, and they followed a variety of diets.

Further study irons out questions over research methods.

Even though the initial study sparked a discussion regarding the impact of our food on our hearing health, others questioned the integrity of the self-reported data collected. They pointed out that people are notoriously bad at assessing their own health, particularly on something as personal as hearing loss.

For this reason, Curhan and her colleagues decided to conduct a second investigation into the link between hearing loss and food. This time, though, they would conduct industry-standard hearing tests to gauge respondents' hearing loss.

Over three years, qualified audiologists checked female participants' hearing ability changes at 19 testing sites around the United States. The audiologists specifically searched for changes in the respondents' pure-tone hearing thresholds or the lowest pitch sound they could hear. Audiologists played various frequency tones at varying volume levels. When the participants couldn't hear anything, they were asked to reveal the lowest pitch sound they could hear.

The researchers then looked at how well the women's diets matched those of a healthy diet, using data acquired over 20 years on the participants' nutritional habits.

Curhan and her team reached broadly the same conclusions as the initial study with the more robust research methods.

What is the best diet to protect your hearing?

The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) and Mediterranean diets produced the best results, both in terms of overall health and hearing health.

According to researchers, women who ate a nutritious diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains had a 30% lower risk of getting mid-frequency hearing loss. These frequencies are critical for speech comprehension, and if you can maintain hearing in the mid-to high-frequency regions, you'll find it much easier to follow the conversation.

Which foods, in particular, promote hearing?

Foods high in vitamins and minerals are suitable for your ears and keep them happy and healthy.

Folate is abundant in leafy greens like spinach, kale, and lettuce, whereas potassium is abundant in bananas, oranges, and melons. This aids in the regulation of body fluids as well as the fluids in your inner ear.

Omega-3 fatty acids and zinc found in nuts, peanuts, and fish can help avoid unexpected hearing loss and improve your immune system.

Vitamin D levels are maintained by eggs and milk, which help keep the bones in your ear robust and healthy.

Finally, foods high in magnesium, such as bananas, artichokes, and broccoli, can protect the inner ear's delicate hair cells from damage caused by loud noises. Magnesium also improves blood flow and keeps oxygen-rich blood in the ear cells.

Early hearing tests are still recommended.

Another finding of this study is that hearing loss is more common and begins much sooner than you might assume.

"We were astonished that so many women experienced hearing loss in such a short period," Curhan remarked.

In their mid-50s, many of the women began to show indicators of hearing loss. Most people do not consider their hearing health until much later in life. Don't put off taking care of your hearing until you're in your 60s; get a hearing test now to ensure you hear clearly.

A healthy, balanced diet is just one of the many ways we can preserve our hearing for years to come. You'll be able to hear everything around you, follow conversations more readily, and lower your chance of an accident or injury. Taking this and other preventative steps to protect your hearing care of your hearing will help you manage your general health and well-being while also improving your quality of life.

We have all of your hearing needs covered at Greentree Hearing and Audiology, and we'll work with you every step of the way to ensure you have crystal clear hearing. Trust us for anything from a complete hearing exam to the latest hearing aids. Contact us today to take control of your hearing health.