You’ve most likely already noticed that your hearing is failing. Usually, we don’t even recognize that our decisions are negatively affecting our hearing.

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

1. Manage Your Blood Pressure

It’s not okay if your blood pressure remains high. A study found that hearing loss was 52% more likely with people who have above average blood pressure and they are more likely to have other health problems as well.

Reduce injury to your hearing by taking actions to reduce your blood pressure. See a doctor as soon as possible and never disregard your high blood pressure. Following your doctor’s guidance, managing stress, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise are all parts of blood pressure management.

2. Stop Smoking

There are plenty of reasons to quit smoking, here’s yet another: Hearing loss is 15% more likely to impact smokers. What’s even more surprising is that there’s a 28% higher chance of someone developing hearing issues if they are frequently exposed to second-hand smoke. The harmful repercussions of second-hand smoke are not only harmful, they also remain in the air for long periods.

Think about safeguarding your hearing, if you smoke, by quitting. If you hang out with a smoker, take actions to decrease your exposure to second-hand smoke.

3. Keep Your Diabetes Under Control

Diabetes or pre-diabetes affects one in four adults. A pre-diabetic individual is highly likely to get 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 a person who doesn’t have diabetes, a diabetic person has more than twice the chance of developing hearing loss.

If you have diabetes, take the steps required to correctly control it. Protect your hearing by making lifestyle changes if you are at risk of type 2 diabetes.

4. Lose Some Weight

This is more about your health than feeling good about your body image. As your Body Mass Index (BMI) goes up, so does your possibility of hearing loss and other health disorders. The chance of getting hearing loss goes up by 17% for a slightly obese woman with a BMI of 30 to 34. A moderately obese person has a 25% chance of hearing loss if they have a BMI of 40.

Work to eliminate some of that excess weight. Your life can be prolonged and your hearing can be protected by something as simple as walking for 30 minutes every day.

5. OTC Medicines Shouldn’t be Overused

Some over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can result in hearing loss. The more frequently these drugs are taken over a long period of time, the greater the risk.

Common over-the-counter medications that affect hearing include aspirin, NSAIDs (such as naproxen, ibuprofen), and acetaminophen. Use 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 recommended doses. The risk of hearing loss goes up to 40% for men, however, when these medicines are used on a day-to-day basis.

Always follow your doctor’s recommendations. But if you’re using these drugs each day to manage chronic pain or thin your blood, talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes you can make to lessen your dependence on OTC drugs.

6. Eat More Broccoli

Broccoli is full of nutrients and vitamins like C and K and also has lots of iron. Iron is vital to blood circulation and a healthy heart. Iron helps your blood transport nutrients and oxygen to cells to keep them nourished and healthy.

For vegetarians or individuals who don’t eat meat very often, eating a sufficient amount of plant-based iron is important. You’re more likely to be iron deficient because the iron found in plants is less bioavailable than the iron found in meat.

More than 300,000 individuals were studied by Pennsylvania State University. The researchers found participants with anemia (extreme iron deficiency) were two times as likely to develop sensorineural hearing loss as those without the condition. Sensorineural hearing loss is the scientific name for permanent hearing loss related to aging.

The inner ear has delicate hair cells that pick up sounds and connect with the brain to transmit the volume and frequency of those sounds. If these hair cells die due to poor circulation or other complications arising from iron deficiency, they won’t grow back.

You’re never too young to have your hearing examined, so don’t wait until it’s too late. Implement these steps into your life and prevent hearing loss.