"Hearing is a form of touch. You feel it through your body, and sometimes it almost hits your face." - Evelyn Glennie

Monday. We are halfway through August, and I am still holding out hope that this will be the last month of scorching temperatures. I don’t even like Pumpkin Spice Lattes (gasp), but I’ve never been this ready for Fall to get here. September can’t come soon enough. Now, while we all might be eager for cooler weather, one thing we're not in a hurry for is losing our hearing. So what can you do to prevent hearing loss? Let’s dive in.

Nutrition and Hearing Loss

We’ve all had this experience with a grandparent or an older neighbor. You say something, and they hear something else — and that’s if they hear you at all. Many people think losing your hearing is just a normal part of getting old, but that's not entirely true. It turns out that there is more to hearing loss than it simply being inevitable as we age.

Hearing loss is a big problem in today’s world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hearing loss affects about 466 million people worldwide. That's a lot of people! It's even more common as people age, affecting 30% of those over 65.

But this is where things get interesting. Did you know that what you eat might affect your hearing? That’s right — some studies have found that the food you eat and how you live your life might affect how well you can hear.

Think about the kinds of foods most people eat, and it is no surprise that hearing loss is so prevalent today. Research shows that a high-sugar diet might increase the risk of hearing loss. On the bright side, though, foods high in omega-3 fats and vitamins like vitamin C, folate, and antioxidants might protect your hearing.

Hearing loss isn't just about not being able to hear things clearly. It can lead to other problems like loneliness, trouble communicating, or difficulty understanding things. Imagine not being able to chat with your friends or enjoy music. This can be a big deal for some people as they age, impacting their mental health more than we might think.

But there is some more good news. Scientists are working on ways to help people with hearing loss. In the United States, over twenty-two studies are going on right now, trying to find medicines and treatments that might help. But as scientists continue to work on innovative solutions, we all need to keep in mind that there are plenty of ways to prevent hearing loss from becoming a problem in the first place.

The first thing we can do is bring more awareness to the issue. Even though we know that hearing loss is a big problem and can affect many parts of our lives, not enough attention is paid to it. There needs to be more money going into research, and more people should be talking about how to prevent it.

That's why it's essential to understand what might cause hearing loss and what we can do to prevent it. Being careful with loud noises, like not blasting music in our headphones, and eating healthy foods are good places to start.

It is also important to realize that hearing loss is now one of the top causes of people living with disabilities — accounting for even more than things like diabetes or dementia. That's why caring for our hearing is just as important as caring for other parts of our bodies.

The key takeaway? Next time you see someone struggling to hear or think about how loud your music is, remember that our hearing is precious. I know we sound like a broken record sometimes, but eating right and living a healthy lifestyle can go a long way in keeping our ears happy and healthy. After all, who wouldn't want to enjoy the beautiful sounds of life for as long as possible?

Together with Annmarie Skincare

Tonic Shots

1. I Love Single Skillet Recipes

Everything in one skillet means easy to cook and easy cleanup. Make enough of this lemon chicken for leftovers, and you are ready to start the week off strong!

2. No Bake, Easy DIY Snack!

This is so much better than anything you’ll get at the grocery store. Make a bunch of these and save them for the next time you need a pick-me-up snack on the go!

3. The Perfect Summer Salsa

I am so ready for summertime to be behind us, but at least we can still enjoy this pineapple mango salsa in the meantime.

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