A Possible Link Between Exercise & Reduced Risk for Hearing Loss
Doctors and nutritionists agree that exercise, even just a little bit every day, such as taking a daily or after dinner walk can reduce the risk of heart disease, can subside symptoms of depression, and is very important to maintaining a weight that is healthy for you. You just have to get started to realize how exercise can boost your mood, improve your energy level, and also help you sleep thru the night. Other benefits include reduced inflammation, reduced the risk of heart attack and a decreased risk of dementia. Now studies show that exercise can keep the risk of developing hearing loss much lower.
The Link Between Exercise & Hearing Loss
A study from The Johns Hopkins University found that seniors who exercised regularly also maintained their hearing health into their golden years. Seniors in the study that completed just a little bit of daily exercise for as little as three hours a week had a much healthier score on hearing tests than seniors who did no exercise at all. Putting aside just 30 minutes a day to exercise and get your heart rate up can have majorly beneficial effects on your hearing health. This is because exercising promotes blood circulation throughout your body and invigorates oxygen circulation at the same time. This results in reduced occurrence of inflammation that can easily damage the sensitive and fragile hair cells and capillaries that are important to maintaining healthy hearing.
Hearing and increased Oxygen to your Brain
When we are moving oxygen-rich blood flows through our entire body, including our ears. This leads to better connectivity of nerves as the connection between the ear and the brain is emphasized. The brain relies on oxygen from blood to processes the sounds you hear and transmits them into signals your brain can interpret. Your brain has to work overtime in noisy environments while trying to separate speech from background noise. This can be extra challenging for people with hearing loss as it makes it more difficult to hear your friends in loud public places. That’s why it is so imperative for your hearing as it relies on a healthy brain to move information from one area to another.
Hearing and Heart Health
A healthy cardiovascular system appears to have a positive effect on hearing. Our complex hearing systems are sensitive to changes in blood flow and if there is not enough blood flow your hearing can become damaged. Damaged blood vessels reduce blood flow, causing possible irrevocable damage to the structures in the inner ear. If exercise keeps your heart and blood pressure working at its best then it is also helping you prevent hearing loss.
What is the best Exercise to Prevent Hearing Loss?
Fortunately, you don’t have to run a marathon to enjoy the positive effect on your ears. According to the American Heart Association, “just 30 minutes a day, five days a week” of moderate exercise is all a person needs to reduce the risk of heart disease and related hearing loss. At least 150 minutes (two and a half hours) per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of both, ideally intermittent throughout the week can make a world of difference. The simplest positive change you can make to effectively improve your heart health is to implement walking into your daily routine. It doesn’t matter whether you walk to work a few times a week, throw a few pitches with your kid or regularly tend to your garden, the more active you are, the more likely you are to keep your hearing for years to come!
Hearing and Loving Life
Just a little bit of exercise everyday can make all the difference to your body, your mind and how you relate to the world around you. To find out more about hearing loss and what exercises can help keep your ears sharp visit us at Fit Hearing Audiology Network. If you do have a hearing loss, we can help you find the best treatment for you to get you back to the healthy active lifestyle you love.
