Good nutrition can mitigate the side effects of hearing loss. Eating well is an essential part of a comprehensive approach to treating your hearing loss effectively.
How Poor Nutrition Affects Your Hearing
A lack of nutrition exacerbates health conditions that negatively impact your hearing. Supporting your overall health allows your body to protect your ears.
Circulation: Healthy circulation brings blood and oxygen to your inner ear, which it needs to convert sounds to signals for your brain. A diet high in sodium can restrict blood flow and damage the blood vessels in your ears.
Inflammation: Diabetes and heart disease have inflammatory side effects that harm hearing. Inflammation damages the delicate tissues in your ears and can cause chronic ear infections and permanent hearing loss.
Nutrients That Support Healthy Hearing
A poor diet lowers your body’s ability to fight off free radicals – unstable atoms that damage cells and cause illness. Consuming foods with essential vitamins and minerals allows your body to stop free radicals from damaging your ears. Here are some nutrients that will protect your hearing and boost your immunity.
Zinc:
- Promotes cell growth and healing
- Improves sensorineural hearing loss and treats tinnitus symptoms
- Helps fight infection
- Found in foods like almonds, cashews, beef and dark chocolate
Magnesium:
- Creates a barrier over the inner ear that protects it from free radicals
- Found in avocados, nuts, seeds and whole grains
Potassium:
- Supports your heartbeat and circulation
- Protects your inner ear
- Regulates fluid in body tissues
- Good sources of potassium include bananas, potatoes, tomatoes, melons, oranges and low-fat milk
Folic Acid:
- Metabolizes an amino acid that restricts blood flow
- May slow the onset of age-related hearing loss
- Found in spinach, broccoli and asparagus
The expert team at Hearing Associates will create a comprehensive plan to treat your hearing loss. Schedule an appointment online or call 888.760.2032.