Hearing is a sense that many people can take for granted, but it is so important! Hearing connects us to our loved ones, lets us communicate with others and allows us to engage more fully with our lives. 

Although hearing loss is often associated with older individuals, hearing loss can happen at any age! However, by incorporating some of these healthy habits from Dr. Nikki, an audiologist in Omaha, you can reduce your risk of developing hearing loss and prolong the longevity of your ear health! 

Exercise

One daily habit you can change to reduce your risk of hearing loss is to exercise more. While this one may make us groan a bit, it doesn't have to be strenuous exercise, just moving your body more. The American Journal of Medicine released a study that showed people who engaged in physical activity lessened their risk of developing a hearing impairment. This reduced risk was shown the most in women who walked more than 2 hours per week! 

Get ear protection

Being exposed to noise levels over 85 dB for too long can permanently damage your hearing, and it is amazing the amount of things that can reach that level and exceed it. Everyday objects and tasks can cause noise-induced hearing loss like blenders, concerts, motorcycles, boating, and so much more because they can reach dangerous decibel levels. Carrying ear protection with you can help guard your ears from loud noise exposure and help prevent noise-induced hearing loss from occurring. 

Decrease stress

Not only does stress make us feel unwell, but it can also affect your hearing!  When your stress is acute or chronic, it can lead to heart disease, diabetes and other diseases that affect your circulation– and in turn your hearing. The small sensory hairs located in your inner ear rely on good circulation to do their job properly! By decreasing your stress you can protect your hearing. Take a break from things that overwhelm you, turn to meditating or spend more time with those who make you smile and laugh! 

Attend social gatherings 

You would think that attending social gatherings where there is a crowd and a lot of noise would be bad for your hearing, and if things get too loud it can be, but social interaction is actually a good thing! This was especially relevant during quarantine and social distancing. Hearing is not just about your ears, but also your brain. When you socially isolate yourself for a long time, your brain's processing abilities can slow down, so while the function of hearing remains the same, the processing is affected. 

Have your hearing regularly checked 

Incorporating hearing tests from an audiologist in Omaha in your annual health screening or every other one is a great way to be proactive when it comes to your hearing! Getting in the habit of getting your hearing tested allows you to establish a baseline for your hearing and more confidently identify any impairment that could be present. Then you are able to intervene and treat hearing loss sooner rather than later. Early detection and treatment of hearing loss is important to make sure that it doesn’t get worse and you can continue having better hearing and communication. 

Visit us!

Get in the habit of getting your hearing checked by making an appointment with Dr. Nikki, an audiologist in Omaha. Discover what your baseline is and what treatment options are available to you!