Due to covid-19, a lot of many people have had to go through longer periods of isolation to stop the spread of the disease. As our society runs at a slower pace, we might not get out as much, and feeling socially isolated from friends and family can be difficult. People with hearing loss might especially suffer under these circumstances as some are already inclined to feel lonely. However, it doesn’t have to be that way!
Here are a few things you can do while at home to help your hearing.
1. Do puzzles and games
Your hearing happens in your brain. Your brain continually processes soundwaves and tries to make sense of them. It is therefore important for you to keep your brain healthy by stimulating it. This can be through puzzles like crosswords and sudoku to keep the brain tissue and the neural connections healthy, which are necessary for processing sensory information.
2. Exercise at home
Daily physical exercise is important for your brain and your mental health. Exercise can increase the blood circulation in your brain and ears. This improves the nerve system and helps with removing the wastes and toxins from the body.
3. Use noise cancelling earphones when listening to music or watching movies on your personal device
Noise cancelling headphones block out any outside noise, which makes it easier to hear audio sounds clearly, and it also prevents you from turning up the volume to an unhealthy level. You can also use a pair of simple, cushioned headphones when listening to your favourite song or watching your favourite movie or series.
4. Treat yourself with foods which can enhance your hearing
There are different kinds of foods which can provide healthy benefits to your hearing. Potassium regulates the fluid in your inner ear, which becomes more important as we age. This is due to the fact that your inner ear fluid levels tend to drop as you age which can contribute to hearing loss or presbycusis. Bananas are the perfect potassium-rich snacks with 12% of your daily recommended potassium value. Furthermore, avocados are even more potassium rich – delivering 30% of your daily potassium, 22% of your daily folate and 15% of your daily magnesium!
Apart from potassium, Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in your brain function and in facilitating the signals being sent from your brain to your ears. Salmon will give you 42% of the daily recommended intake of Omega-3s. One study shows that omega-3s could help with reducing the risk of age-related hearing loss by over 40%. Spinach also provides important nutrients for your hearing health. One cup of spinach has 65% of your daily folate value, 24% of your daily potassium value, and 40% of your daily magnesium value; Spinach is also a good source of Zinc.
5. Connect with loved ones by using technology
One way to connect with your friends and family during Covid-19 is through the many digital options we have today. With the advancements in smart device connectivity, you can now connect your hearing aids to your personal devices and use FaceTime, Skype or other digital platforms to get in touch with your loved ones.
Sources
1. https://www.hearinglife.ca/blog/2020/how-to-improve-your-hearing-while-in-social-isolation-mode
2. https://journals.lww.com/thehearingjournal/Fulltext/2018/06000/Yoga_for_People_with_Hearing_Loss.7.aspx
3. https://hearinghealthfoundation.org/blogs/how-nutrition-affects-our-hearing
4. https://www.campaignforbetterhearing.org/hearing-research/2017/does-your-diet-support-optimal-hearing-health
5. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/healthy-diets-linked-lower-risk-hearing-loss-women