Activities to Improve Hearing

First, it is missing a few words here and there. Then over time, you find yourself unable to participate in conversations. You go through a phase of denial about your worsening hearing loss, until one day, you have to face it. Your hearing is getting worse, and it is starting to take its toll on the quality of your life.

Although there are various types of hearing loss, audiologists can often offer a hearing solution. Here are the most common types of hearing loss:

As hearing loss impacts all aspects of your life, it is essential to see an audiologist. Depending on your particular case, your audiologist/audiometrist may recommend hearing aids to help sharpen your hearing experience. Your physician can work with you to help restore your hearing and recommend the necessary treatment.

In addition to seeing a specialist, there are numerous activities that you can do to help improve your hearing.

Solve Puzzles

Your brain is an incredible part of your body that plays a significant role in processing sounds that your ears receive. Just like your muscles that need regular exercise to stay strong, so does your brain.

Solving puzzles is a fun way to keep your brain in top shape and prevent brain degeneration. Some examples of different types of puzzles are crosswords, word searches, and Soduku. The key is to do these exercises regularly, at least weekly but preferably every day.

Play Cards

Playing cards or board games with friends and family is also an entertaining way to stay sharp and remain connected to your loved ones. Socializing is especially helpful to help prevent you from becoming isolated. Many people become anxious and depressed, and therefore, less likely to partake in social interactions as their hearing continues to deteriorate.

Daily Exercise

Daily movement is essential not only for ear health but for achieving optimum health for your body and mind. Staying active each day enhances your wellbeing in so many different ways. You don't have to run a half a marathon every day to reap the health-enhancing benefits of exercise. Choose a physical activity that you enjoy, such as walking, jogging, swimming, jumping, yoga, or perhaps gardening. Any of these activities will help get your blood pumping and improve your circulation. Do whatever floats your boat, the key is to stick with it and make physical activity a regular part of your daily routine.

Sound Location

Most people don't know, but your ears are not the only ones playing a role in your ability to hear sounds. Your brain too bears a huge responsibility for processing sounds. You can optimize your brain's ability to fulfill its function by training it to focus on noise. Sound location is an effective way to sharpen your brain's ability to locate and interpret sounds. There are several variations of this type of hearing exercise.

1. Turn on the music in one room,and walk around while paying close attention to the subtle differences of sounds you hear as you move around. Try your best to understand the lyrics and identify the various instruments in the song. Change the volume occasionally as well as the location where you practice this exercise.
2. Turn on a sound source (such as a radio) in one area of a room. Play some music at a soft volume. Turn on another sound source and put that in another area of the same room. Turn up the volume until the music from the two different sound sources creates a noisy environment.
3. Ask a friend or family member to read sentences from a book as they move around in the room. Close your eyes, and as you listen carefully, repeat the sentences out loud, and try to figure out where the words are coming from.

You can use some or all of the above activities to improve your hearing. Make sure that you do them regularly to see results. If you are experiencing hearing loss, make sure you get a hearing test done. A hearing test performed by a hearing care specialist is essential to find out the type and severity of your hearing loss.

Getting a hearing aid may be your best option to improve your hearing problems. A hearing aid allows you to hear better, and also helps your brain recognize the sounds you are unable to hear without a hearing aid. You should always seek professional help for your worsening symptoms because untreated hearing loss can negatively impact your mental and physical wellbeing.