Listening to music, watching movies, getting work done, and sharing stories with our loved ones are just some of our everyday activities that are made possible through our sense of hearing. If our sense of hearing is working the way it should, we can properly process our surroundings and react appropriately to audio stimuli. Alternatively, a compromised sense of hearing might make us prone to accidents, lessen opportunities for personal and professional fulfillment, frustrate us, and generally decrease our quality of life (1).

There are several factors that can affect ear health and thus, our sense of hearing.

This article can serve as a valuable reference if you have hearing related concerns on ways to improve hearing. If you are one of the many individuals dealing with issues like signs of hearing loss or a hearing impairment, read on to learn what you can do.

First, learn about how the ear works

The ear is composed of three main parts:

The outer ear, the visible part of our ears, is where the process of hearing begins. The outer ear’s shape is designed as such because its curved shape helps in locating sound waves. More so, the ear does not have a flat, creaseless surface mainly because its ridges and folds can trap debris that carry bacteria and subsequently cause infection (1).

Next there is the middle ear that amplifies sound and carries it to the inner ear. Here, you find your eardrum and three small bones called ossicles (1).

Finally, there is the inner ear that is in charge of converting sound waves into electrical impulses sent to our brain. It’s here where sound begins its transformation from random audio stimuli from the environment to that which carries meaning and value to us (1).

Together, these major anatomical components of our ears contribute to making hearing possible. Injury or damage in just one part of the ear may be enough to trigger the degradation of our sense of hearing often manifesting as hearing impairment or other signs of hearing loss. When these symptoms become noticeable and bothersome, you may be prompted to seek ways for how to improve hearing.

The ear is a sensitive organ

The ear is an extremely delicate structure, and can be negatively affected by factors such as aging, head trauma, a history of recurring infections, and even excessive exposure to loud noises (2). Signs of hearing loss are the most common health issues related to injured ears, but other offshoots of hearing impairment like vertigo and tinnitus can also occur (1).

An estimate of 20% of Australian adults experience significant loss of hearing caused by various factors. We must also understand that even though we may have never injured our ears or gotten any kind of ear-related illness, the risk of hearing loss increases as part of the natural process of aging (2). Yet despite hearing loss being an inevitable part of life, we continue to pursue ways for how to improve hearing loss; we may not be able to prevent it from happening, but we may be able to delay, and perhaps even lessen the intensity of the condition, by following the ear health tips listed below.

Adopting the right health habits for ear health

Keeping your ears healthy when you’re young is one the best things you can do to prevent hearing impairment and other signs of hearing loss. Below, we suggest simple ways to avoid hearing-related issues, as well as how to improve hearing for those currently experiencing these problems.

Definitely, avoid exposure to loud noise whenever possible. If your job or other activities you engage in make this unavoidable, always wear protective gear (3).

You can also limit the use of earphones and headphones. Doing so lets your ears breathe (and thus avoid oil buildup while allowing moisture in the ears to evaporate, protecting you from the risk of bacterial growth and infection) (3). In relation to this, set up volume controls on your devices. This is so you don’t risk ear injury from unexpectedly loud noises or sounds blasted by the apps or music players that you use.

Always resist the temptation to scratch, dig into, or go poking around the ears to relieve an itch, clear them of wax or other obstructions, or for any other reason1. If you suspect that you need a thorough ear cleaning or that foreign objects have gotten lodged in your ear, go to a doctor for help.

Lastly, a sure shot way on how to improve hearing, better your diet. Never forget that a well-balanced diet can do so much for ear health. Develop a diet that is mostly composed of fruits and vegetables, because vitamins and minerals like folate and potassium can decrease the risk of hearing loss (4).

On top of an ear health-targeted diet, we suggest that you consider taking a ginkgo & brahmi supplement. These ancient herbs originally used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicinal systems have gained popularity for their ability to support hearing (5).

How to improve hearing by taking Ginkgo & Brahmi supplements

Studies have shown that ginkgo and brahmi can help when supporting healthy hearing (6). These herbs are not commonly ingested raw in the diet, therefore, including them in your health regimen is one of the best ways to consume them (5). If you are looking for ways to improve your hearing and prevent hearing impairment, make sure to take care of your ears and see a healthcare professional should you experience anything out of the ordinary.

Ginkgo & Brahmi supplements are available through Vitable Australia, a vitamin delivery service that lets customers build a vitamin subscription customised for their daily nutrition needs. These custom vitamin packs can be delivered straight to your doorstep, thanks to Vitable’s convenient vitamin delivery service. Avail yours now!

*Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional. Vitamin and/or mineral supplements should not replace a balanced diet.

References:

1. Better Health Content Team. “Ears”. Better Health: Betterhealth.Vic.Gov.Au. Published on https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/ears. Accessed January 24, 2022.
2. Garvan Institute of Medical Research Content Team. “About hearing loss”. Garvan Institute of Medical Research: Garvan.Org.Au. Published on https://www.garvan.org.au/research/diseases/hearing-loss/about. Accessed January 24, 2022.
3. Kids’ Health Content Team. “Your Ears”. Kids’ Health: Kidshealth.Org. Published on https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/ears.html. Accessed January 24, 2022.
4. Hearing Health Foundation Content Team. “How nutrition affects our hearing”. Hearing Health Foundation: Hearinghealthfoundation.Org. Published August 14, 2018 on https://hearinghealthfoundation.org/blogs/how-nutrition-affects-our-hearing. Accessed January 24, 2022.
5. Mayo Clinic Content Team. “Ginkgo”. Mayo Clinic: Mayoclinic.Org. Published November 18, 2020 on https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-ginkgo/art-20362032. Accessed January 24, 2022.
6. Kumar, A., Raizada, R. M., & Chaturvedi, V. N. “Role of ginkgo biloba extract in acquired sensorineural hearing loss”. National Center for Biotechnology Information: Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov. Published July 2000 on https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3451083/. Accessed January 24, 2022.