The Benefits Of Exercise And Physical Activity For Those With Hearing Loss

Have you recently noticed that your hearing has changed? You could be experiencing hearing loss. Hearing loss is a common condition that becomes more likely as you age. If you are worried about this, then the first step will be to arrange a hearing test. With the support of an audiologist, you can learn about your type of hearing loss and the level of hearing loss you are experiencing.

The next step is getting hearing aids. Hearing aids amplify the volume of sounds that you need to hear. They can help you gain the right quality of life. However, this isn’t the only step that you can take to improve your hearing. There are other options too including lifestyle changes. For instance, you might want to focus on exercising more regularly or engaging in physical activity.

Exercise Can Reduce Chances of Hearing Loss

First, it’s important to understand that exercise may lower your chances of developing hearing loss. Cardiovascular exercise can ensure that anyone over 50 years old is more likely to maintain healthy hearing as they continue to age. Exercise is also beneficial for your hearing while you are still young. It helps keep the blood moving through your body and improves circulation to key areas such as your ears. This is just one of the reasons why it’s important for everyone to remain active.

How Much Exercise Do You Need?

You don’t need to do a lot of exercise to improve your hearing. For instance, research shows that just three hours of exercise each week will provide benefits for seniors who are experiencing levels of hearing loss. This means that you can improve your hearing by exercising just 24 minutes per day. The best part is that this doesn’t have to be strenuous forms of exercise. It could be as simple as going for a walk after work or completing some yoga in the evening.

As you get older, inflammation can cause damage to various parts of your body including:

• Hair cells
• Capillaries
• Nerve cells

This can stop your ears from working correctly and mean that they are not receiving enough oxygen. When you are exercising, your body is protected from issues with inflammation. Your cardiovascular health is also greatly improved. This helps guarantee that blood continues to circulate around your body as well as your ears. It’s one of the main reasons why you should be exercising on a daily basis. This won’t just help the health of your hearing; it will improve your overall well-being.

What Types of Exercise Can You Do with Hearing Loss?

There are no limits in terms of the types of exercise or sports that you can engage in if you have hearing loss. There are also hearing aids that are designed for a more active lifestyle. These fit in the ear or even in the canal instead of behind the ear. This is useful if you are engaging in activities such as running or jumping.

You might also find that there are clubs and sports groups that you can enjoy specifically for individuals who are experiencing hearing loss.

Tips for Using Hearing Aids While Playing Sports

If you are using hearing aids while playing sports, then make sure they are fitted securely. If you are playing a contact sport, it is best to remove your hearing aids altogether. This is also true for any activity where you are going to get wet like swimming. Hearing aids are often water resistant but are not waterproof. As such, you should never get them wet. This also means that you need to remove them if you have a shower or bath after exercising.

Avoid Headphones and Earbuds

Experts recommend that you avoid using earbuds or headphones while you are exercising. These can cause issues with noise induced hearing loss. Particularly, if you tend to play your music at a high volume. If you want to exercise with music, then it’s best to play songs through speakers instead or attend a gym class where music is playing in the background.

We hope this helps you understand why both exercise and physical activity can be beneficial for individuals who are experiencing hearing loss. Lifestyle changes can have more of an impact on your hearing than you might realize. If you are interested in learning more get in touch with The Hearing and Tinnitus Center at (720) 420-7780. A friendly member of the team will be happy to assist you further.