You’ve probably already noticed that your hearing is failing. Hearing loss frequently progresses as a result of decisions you make without knowing they’re impacting your hearing.

Many types of hearing impairment are avoidable with a few simple lifestyle changes. Let’s explore six unexpected secrets that will help you preserve your hearing.

1. Regulate Your Blood Pressure

Consistently high blood pressure is not good. A study found that hearing loss was 52% more likely with people who have higher than average blood pressure and they’re more likely to have other health issues as well.

Take steps to decrease your blood pressure and prevent hearing damage. See a doctor right away and never dismiss your high blood pressure. Blood pressure management includes proper diet, exercise, stress management, and following your doctor’s orders.

2. Quit Smoking

Here’s one more reason to quit: Hearing loss is 15% more likely to affect smokers. What’s even more alarming is that there’s a 28% higher chance of someone experiencing hearing problems if they are frequently exposed to second-hand smoke. Even if you go away from the room, smoke hangs around for long periods of time with unhealthy consequences.

If you smoke, protect your hearing and consider quitting. If you hang out with a smoker, take steps to decrease your exposure to second-hand smoke.

3. Manage Your Diabetes

One in four adults is either pre-diabetic or diabetic. A pre-diabetic individual is highly likely to develop diabetes within 5 years unless they make significant lifestyle changes.

Blood vessels that are damaged by high blood sugar don’t effectively carry nutrients. Compared to someone who doesn’t have diabetes, a diabetic person has more than twice the chance of developing hearing loss.

If you suffer from diabetes, take the steps required to properly manage it. If you are at risk of getting type 2 diabetes, protect your hearing by making lifestyle changes to avoid it.

4. Lose Some Weight

This isn’t about body image or feeling good about yourself. It’s about your health. As your Body Mass Index (BMI) goes up, so does your possibility of hearing loss and other health problems. The chance of getting hearing loss rises by 17% for a slightly obese woman with a BMI of 30 to 34. A moderately obese person has a 25% risk of hearing loss if they have a BMI of 40.

Work to eliminate some of that excess weight. Something as simple as walking for 30 minutes each day can decrease your risk of hearing loss and prolong your life.

5. Don’t Overuse OTC Drugs

Certain over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can lead to hearing loss. The risk rises when these drugs are taken regularly over prolonged periods of time.

Medications like acetaminophen, naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin are known to cause hearing loss. Take these medicines in moderation and only with your doctor’s guidance if you need to take them more frequently.

Studies reveal that you’ll probably be fine if you’re taking these medications periodically in the suggested doses. Taking them every day, however, raises the chance of hearing loss by up to 40% for men.

Always follow your doctor’s recommendations. Your doctor may be able to recommend some lifestyle changes that will lessen your dependence on these medications if you are using them every day.

6. Eat More Broccoli

Broccoli is packed with iron in addition to essential nutrients including vitamins C and K. Iron is integral to a healthy heart and proper blood circulation. Nutrients and oxygen are transported to your cells which helps keep them nourished and healthy and iron is a major part of this process.

For vegetarians or people who don’t eat meat very often, eating a sufficient amount of plant-based iron is important. The iron found in plants is not as bioavailable as the iron in meat so people in this group are more likely to be deficient in iron.

Pennsylvania State University researchers examined more than 300,000 individuals. Individuals who suffer from anemia (extreme iron deficiency) are twice as likely, according to this research, to experience sensorineural hearing loss than individuals who have normal iron concentrations. Age-related permanent hearing loss is what the technical term “sensorineural hearing loss” refers to.

Sound is picked up and sent to the brain by tiny little hairs in the inner ear which resonate with the volume and frequency of that sound. If these hair cells die as a result of poor circulation or other concerns related to iron deficiency, they never grow back.

Don’t wait to get a hearing exam because you’re never too young. Implement these steps into your life and prevent hearing loss.