Natural Remedies for Hearing Loss: Solutions for Better Hearing
If you’re dealing with hearing loss, know you’re not alone. 37.5 million American adults have reported trouble hearing. That’s 15% of all adults ages 18 and older. Luckily, some natural remedies for hearing loss might help improve your quality of life.
Understanding Hearing Loss and Its Causes
There are three types of hearing loss, each with a different cause and treatment plan.
The first type is usually when something blocks sound from getting through the outer and middle parts of the ears. This can be caused by earwax, fluid in the middle ear, colds, infections, allergies, or even changes in the bones of the ear.
The second type can happen when there is damage inside the ear or the nerve that sends sound to the brain. This is typically a result of getting older, from being around loud noises for long periods, or head injuries.
The third type of hearing loss is called mixed hearing. Mixed hearing loss is a combination of the two other types of hearing loss.
How to Improve Hearing Loss Naturally
A natural cure for hearing loss depends heavily on your type of loss and what caused it. Most sensorineural loss is permanent, but you can find ways to amplify sound. Solutions like cochlear implants, hearing aids, and phones for hearing-impaired persons can drastically improve your quality of life.
However, conductive hearing loss is more situational. Caused by earwax buildup, colds or viruses, or access to intense noise pollution, you will find they are more responsive to natural remedies.
Home Remedies for Hearing Loss and Deafness
Hearing loss can have a significant impact on your quality of life. Try the following remedies to help restore hearing loss naturally:
- Clean your outer ear canal often. If you notice that you aren’t hearing as well as you normally would, it could be because of waxy buildup. Your doctor can help you remove unnecessary wax, or they may advise using over-the-counter drops or hydrogen peroxide to loosen it up and help clear it out. Turn your head to the side and drop two to three drops of the liquid into your ear. Let it sit for a few minutes to loosen up the wax before turning and dumping it into your sink.
- Embrace a healthier diet. Increasing your intake of certain foods, like bananas, leafy greens, nuts, and fish, will help improve your body’s functionality. A diet rich in potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, and E is important to keep ears healthy!
- Avoid foods that are high in saturated fat, sodium, or mercury. They can harm your ear health by clogging your arteries, causing fluid retention and nerve damage.
- Always stay hydrated. Water is necessary for important bodily functions, including maintaining a healthy ear fluid balance. Staying hydrated is one of the best things you can do for your body, including your ears!
- Exercise often. Regular heart-pumping exercises will improve blood circulation and overall health.
- Practice mindfulness and yoga. Reducing stress can also help improve ear health, concentration, and other brain functions.
- Cut alcohol and nicotine. Excessive consumption of both substances has been linked to hearing issues. Removing them from your diet can help improve ear health, potentially improving hearing loss.
- Check your medications. Some medicines can result in hearing loss. If you find hearing loss is a side effect of your medications, talk with your doctor or healthcare professional about other options or solutions.
- Avoid loud spaces or wear ear protection. Noise pollution can significantly affect your hearing. If you can’t avoid loud spaces completely, wear ear protection.
Benefits of Adopting Natural Remedies for Hearing Loss
Using home remedies for hearing loss and deafness has many benefits, including cost-effectiveness and accessibility. They also complement other medical treatments and aid devices, often enhancing their effectiveness.
Embrace Natural Remedies for Enhanced Hearing Health
Suffering from hearing loss is a common phenomenon, but it doesn’t have to be your reality! Embracing natural remedies can help you improve your ear health.
As you learn how to improve hearing loss naturally, don’t be afraid to embrace tools and tactics to help you with your day-to-day activities. By investing in lifestyle changes, preventive care, or hearing aids and caption phones for hearing-impaired Americans, you can still thrive!