As if living with untreated hearing loss isn't already uncomfortable enough, it can also be incredibly isolating—especially during these very isolating times we're facing. Some people with hearing loss are already inclined to feel lonely, so an extra factor can have a much bigger impact.
But it doesn't have to be that way.
Here are a few things you can do while at home to help your hearing.
1. Play Puzzles and Games
Your ears receive sounds, but your brain processes all the wonderful, (and maybe not so wonderful,) sounds that you hear. So, keeping your brain healthy can help to keep your hearing healthy too. Puzzles like Sudoku, crosswords, and word searches help to maintain healthy brain tissue and the neural connections necessary for processing sensory information.
2. Do exercise and Yoga at home
Daily physical exercise can increase blood circulation in your ears and brain, which helps to improve nerve functions and remove wastes and toxins from your body. Note: If you are exercising while listening to music through headphones, be sure not to turn the music up too loud as this can damage your hearing overtime.
3. Use noise cancelling earphones when listening to music or watching movies on your personal device
Noise cancelling headphones are popular and being used by many these days. These headphones block out environmental sounds, allowing you to hear a clear audio, thus reducing your temptation to turn the volume up. Alternatively, you can use regular cushioned headphone when listening to your favorite song or watching your favourite movie or series on your personal device
4. Treat yourself to foods which can enhance your hearing
Potassium regulates the fluid in your inner ear, which is important because, as we age, our inner ear fluid levels tend to drop which can contribute to hearing loss or presbycusis. Bananas are the perfect potassium-rich, on-the-go snack with 12% of your daily potassium value. Avocado presents even more health benefits that your ears will love. One whole avocado will give you 30% of your daily potassium, 22% of your daily folate and 15% of your daily magnesium! Three ounces of salmon will give you 42% of your daily recommended omega-3s. Omega 3s could help reduce the risk of age-related hearing loss by over 40%. Omega 3s can also help brain function, sending signals between your brain and ears more effectively. Spinach is a powerhouse for hearing health. One cup of spinach has 65% of your daily folate value, 24% of your daily potassium value, 40% of your daily magnesium value and is also a good source of Zinc.
5. Pamper yourself
Pampering can help you feel nice and get more relaxed and your hearing is at its best when you are relaxed. So, take a nice, long soak in the tub and bust out a face mask and some cucumber slices too, for the ultimate at-home spa experience. These are some very stressful times we're experiencing, and it's an important time to show yourself some love!
6. Rest relax and Spend quality time with family
Now’s the time to plant yourself on the couch with some popcorn and hot chocolate and take an entire day to watch your favorite movie or show. Love and care definitely goes a long way in treating hearing loss.
7. Indulge in romantic moments
Dance away to your favorite tune with your partner all day long and cook a romantic meal for them to set up a perfect candle light diner at home. After all, communication, love and appreciation from a loved one will definitely help your hearing.
8. Connect with loved ones using technology
We're living in some seriously digital time. All this technology actually has some pretty cool advantages! Connect your digitally-advanced hearing aids to your smartphone or tablet and catch up with a long-distance friend or family member with a phone call or Skype session. Your loved one will be touched that you thought to call, and the gab session will boost your spirits, especially if you’re feeling lonely. Try playing a game with them over the phone; FaceTime makes this super easy to do.
If you or someone you know if experiencing hearing loss take our FREE online hearing test, it's quick and easy, and you can do it from the comfort of your own home: Take the online hearing test
