The holidays are full of joyous noise: family members gathering together, silverware clinking on dinner plates, holiday music and much more. You want to enjoy this jubilant atmosphere to the fullest, and to do that, you need to take care of your hearing health.
Caring for hearing health is multifaceted, because hearing health itself is complex. Rather than simply telling you to wear earplugs to Thanksgiving dinner (which, much as we love good hearing protection, we recognize earplugs aren’t very well-suited for dinner conversation), let’s discuss some other habits that support hearing health in the festive season.
Avoid Loud Noise
Try to keep your distance from sources of loud noise, such as speakers blasting at full volume or fireworks. Forceful sound waves can cause irreversible damage to the inner structures of your ears, and they can do this starting at a volume of just 85 decibels.
Take Listening Breaks
To piggyback off of mitigating noise-induced hearing loss, we also recommend taking short listening breaks. A simple five-minute break away from the chaos and noise can be more remedial than you’d think. If you’re starting to experience sensory overload in a noisy environment, step outside or into a quiet room for a breather.
Eat for Better Hearing
The Thanksgiving feast is the highlight of the holiday, and everyone loves to see the golden turkey and buttery mashed potatoes in the middle of the table. Nutrition and hearing health are closely linked: your ears are organs, and as such, they need micronutrients to function properly. Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, B, C, D and E, magnesium, iron, zinc and potassium are known to be tied to hearing health.
Conversely, poor nutrition can adversely affect hearing health. A diet rich in processed sugars and excess sodium may contribute to inflammation and fluid imbalances that can harm the ear over time.
Drink Alcohol in Moderation
Alcohol can be alright in moderation, but excessive amounts can impair the brain, particularly the part that processes sound information. This can lead to slower sound processing, making it difficult to distinguish voices, especially in noisy environments such as restaurants or gatherings. Moreover, alcohol changes the volume and composition of the fluid in the inner ear, leading to distorted hearing. These effects will compound as well and will have lasting effects beyond just the one evening.
Visit Your Audiologist
If you hear yourself saying ‘What?’ more often than usual at the Thanksgiving table, the issue may not be the noisy room. Difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments, such as restaurants, family dinners and holiday parties, is often one of the earliest signs of hearing loss. Contact us at Kampsen Hearing to schedule a hearing test.