In a recent study conducted by Brigham and Women’s Hospital and published in The Journal of Nutrition, scientists focused on the link between eating a healthy diet and a reduced risk of hearing loss in adult women. Researchers studied a cohort of nearly 82,000 women over 22 years. They found that women who followed one of three well-studied diets had lower incidences of hearing loss. Eating well and following one of these diets is known to have multiple health benefits, including lowering risk of cancer, hypertension and diabetes.
What diets to follow
The women who had reduced risk of hearing loss adhered to one of the following nutritional guidelines:
- The Alternative Mediterranean diet
- Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)
- The Alternative Healthy Eating Index
All of these diets promote eating vegetables, fruits, legumes and healthy proteins such as chicken and fish. They encourage avoiding sugars, high levels of salt, certain fats and processed foods.
What can I do to reduce my risk of hearing loss?
To see what the women in the study did, read more about the results in U.S. News and World Report. The Campaign for Better Hearing encourages people of all ages to address their hearing wellness. Both women and men over age 60 should have an annual hearing assessment.* To find resources near you, or to ask a hearing care expert about tips on reducing risk of hearing loss, find a local Campaign for Better Hearing partner.
