Hearing loss is a lot more common than many people realize. At some point in life, nearly half the country experiences some degree of hearing loss. Individuals with severe impairment may address the issue with cochlear implants or hearing aids. Folks with milder cases sometimes choose to leave it be.

But what many people don’t know is that there are natural ways to improve hearing and prevent its loss — like exercise!

Hearing Loss Statistics for the United States

Did you know that by age 12, one in eight Americans experience some degree of hearing loss in one or both ears? Moreover, 25 percent of individuals age 65 and above have disabling hearing loss.

Exercise and Hearing Loss: The Bad

Before unpacking how exercise mitigates hearing loss, we must first talk about the loud music that frequently accompanies workouts.

We pump up the volume in our headphones when summoning the sweat, and gyms often blast music above 90 decibels, which qualifies as “extremely loud” on the auditory scale. The problem is so pervasive that 30 out of 100 fitness instructors claim they deal with tinnitus 50 percent of the time.

So consider turning down your music, and when at the gym, pop in a pair of earplugs. These simple precautions may save you from future hearing loss.

Exercise and Hearing Loss: The Good

Despite the drawbacks of loud-music, exercise helps prevent hearing loss.

Studies show that weight directly affects our senses and that people with body mass indexes over 25 are more likely to experience hearing loss than those with lower counts. A waistline larger than 88 centimeters can also put you in a higher risk category.

So the question is, “why?” How does extra weight affect the human auditory system?

Think of it as a chain reaction. Avoirdupois strains certain bodily functions, and that physical stress contributes to hearing loss. Common culprits include:

• Damage caused by low oxygen levels
• Free radical production caused by fat cells
• A decrease in adiponectin, which is a natural anti-inflammatory

Conversely, when we exercise, we burn fat, which leads to weight loss. So, by extension, exercising reduces our chances of hearing loss.

Call Today With Your Hearing Loss Questions

Get in touch today to learn more about hearing aid options. The team at the Beltone Hearing Aid Center in Dallas Fort Worth has the knowledge and experience you need to overcome auditory challenges. Give us a call at (888) 958-8432.