As we get older, it’s only natural that we want to try and stay as healthy as we can. The two most common approaches include regular exercise, and a healthy diet.
Outside of eating well and exercising, there are many other things that we can do to help us age better. These include:
- Staying socially active
- Staying mentally engaged
- Swimming
- Mindfulness and meditation
What you may not realize, is that your hearing can also help you age better. Looking after your hearing can have significant, positive benefits.
5 Ways Hearing Helps You Age Better
Our hearing is a sense that we often do not appreciate, until we begin to lose it. You can help prevent hearing loss by taking appropriate hearing protection actions. You should approach hearing assessments the same way as you do physical assessments: that is, once a year.
Looking after your hearing can help you age better. And here are 5 reasons why:
Hearing Well Can Keep You Social
Staying socially active is a great way to age better. After all, we are social beings. Social interactions help build communities, but they are also important support mechanisms.
Hearing loss can often result in people becoming socially isolated. The fear of misunderstanding what someone has said, or the stress of limited hearing, can keep people avoiding social interaction entirely. Treating hearing loss can help restore your social life.
Fun Fact: People who enjoy close relationships with friends and family are more likely to live longer than those who are isolated and lonely. (Source)
Your Hearing Helps Keep You Safe
Your ears are constantly working. They play an important role in deciphering the environment around us. Your ears help alert you to potential danger (like the sound of a fire alarm). Your hearing can help reduce your risk of accidents and / or injuries.
Fun Fact: People with difficulty hearing may be twice as likely to have an injury or accident. (Source)
Your Hearing Helps Protect Your Brain
Protecting your hearing can help protect your brain. The Hearing Loss Association of America states that “hearing loss may increase the risk of cognitive problems and even dementia.”
Proactively looking after your hearing health can also help maintain your cognitive processes.
Fun Fact: Protecting your hearing is the largest modifiable risk-factor to help prevent dementia. (Source)
Your Hearing Helps You Communicate
It seems obvious. Your hearing plays a big role in communication. But it’s all too easy to underestimate just how much it actually helps.
Hearing loss can make communication challenging in a number of ways. For the person with the hearing loss, it makes understanding difficult. But it can also make communication challenging for those we are speaking to.
Fun Fact: Treating a hearing loss; such as with the use of hearing aid devices, can improve communication. (Source)
Your Hearing Brings Quality Of Life
The sound of wind rustling through the trees. Children laughing as they chase each other through the park. Bird songs signalling the beginning of spring.
These are just a few sounds that we may hear throughout our life. Often, they can bring a great sense of joy with them. Hearing loss can rob us of these small moments of joy. Over time, this can really have an impact on our quality of life.
Fun Fact: A positive outlook and optimism can add 7.5 years to our lifespan, according to the AARP. (Source)
It’s clear that looking after your hearing can help you age better. If you are overdue for a hearing assessment, please don’t delay any further. Get in touch with the hearing healthcare specialists at Anderson Audiology. Call us on 702-997-2964 or click here to request an appointment online.