Increasing Physical Exercise Means Decreasing Hearing Loss

Exercise is one of the most highly recommended treatment methods for a number of health problems. It has no side effects, it makes people feel and look great, and recently it has also been found that exercise decreases hearing loss.

Physical exercise stimulates cardiovascular movement which improves blood flow. In order for our ears to hear properly, the tiny hair follicles within the inner ears require an oxygen-enriched blood supply. Lack of physical activity can decrease the blood flow to the overall body by decreasing cardiovascular health. This means lower blood supply to the ears, thereby increasing the chances of hearing loss. Inversely, exercising helps maintain a healthy supply of oxygen-enriched blood to the ears. This helps decrease the effects of hearing loss.

Over time, the cells within the inner ear tend to deteriorate. This is what generally causes presbycusis or hearing loss due to advanced aging. Hearing loss is an irreversible condition and it affects 1 in 3 individuals aged 65 and above. One way to prevent presbycusis is to engage in regular physical exercise.

People are often fearful of the term “exercise” because it conjures up images of spending hours in the gym, doing tiring and physically challenging workout tasks. However, the U. S. Surgeon General’s Report of 1996 outlines that each adult need only engage in a half an hour exercise routine each day in order to maintain their physical and auditory health. Even a simple walk for 30 minutes consists of exercise, so there’s no need to get that gym membership just yet.

The American Heart Association recommends that it is ideal for a person to exercise at a moderate rate for only 150 minutes each week. They also recommend engaging in vigorous exercises for 75 minutes every week to maintain a healthy heart. As we have already found, a healthy heart means healthy hearing!

Exercise can be a fun way for you to stay in shape and also keep hearing all your favorite sounds for all your years to come. Choose something that you enjoy, such as a walk in the park, or yoga. If you find it difficult to exercise without any distraction, you can load up your favorite music tracks or audio books on your personal music player and listen to them while you exercise. Just remember to keep the volume down to make your ears happy!

Better yet, get yourself an exercise buddy who will keep you motivated and will give you company on your daily exercise routine. This way you get to socialize and workout all at the same time. No matter what exercise you choose, just make sure you do it consistently. Taking care of your body and ears is all about consistency, determination, and perseverance. Keep up the good work, and happy hearing!