Listen Up: Foods and Supplements that Could Improve Your Hearing

If you tend to travel via plane often, or live close to the mountains, you may have noticed significant pressure in your ears lately, which could have any affect on your hearing even on the days you're not traveling. Or, if you like your music loud, and live and work in a noisy environment, your hearing could be suffering on a daily basis. But, what if you could do something about it? What if you could plan meals that will actually help to improve your hearing? Here are some super foods and supplements that can give you super hearing, even if you've had some problems in the past.

Foods: Spinach, Potatoes, Broccoli, red meats, liver

Supplement: Alpha Lipoic Acid

-This substance is created in very small amounts in the body, but if you find that you are hard of hearing, you may want to add these foods to one meal each day so that you can start to see (and hear) improvement. This is also an omega-6 fatty acid, so it should be consumed with foods that are rich in omega-3s in order to promote balance in the body. Eating a baked potato with your meal is helpful, and adding broccoli to your pasta is another way to make sure you're getting the right amounts of alpha lipoic acid each day. And, although liver and onions is not the meal of choice for most people, Mom really was on to something when she tried to convince you that it was good for you-red meat and the liver and heart of animals has a high percentage of alpha lipoic acid. There are also supplements available in capsule form that you can get from your local health food or grocery store. This substance is also very help in treating type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Foods: Wheat germ, mango, kiwi, peanuts

Supplement: Vitamin E

-You can find vitamin E in lots of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts you eat, and if you're trying to improve your hearing, you should be sure to eat an extra handful of nuts for a snack, or slice a mango or kiwi pieces for a quick dessert. The vitamin works to make the blood vessels that and nerves around the ear area healthier, so that you will be able to perceive sound properly. So, if you're already taking vitamin E capsules to improve the look of your skin or hair, adding an extra capsule per day could make your hearing crystal clear as well!

Foods: Yogurt, eggs, clams, lean beef

Supplement: B12

-Many vegetarians and vegans are deficient in this vitamin, since it is only produced from animal sources. However, supplements are available at most health food stores, and should be taken after meals for those who do not eat meat. Nori, which is a seaweed, and spirulina can also be taken be vegetarians or vegans in order to increase the amount of B12 in the body. Lack of B12 can actually lead to anemia, and fatigue and hearing loss could be symptoms of this condition. Smoking also increases the risk of B12 deficiency, so it's important to quit as soon as possible if you're a tobacco user. And, if you're taking medication for gout, it's best to hold off on taking these supplements and speak with your doctor about alternatives, since the medication and supplements taken together will have an adverse effect on the body.

Be sure to try these methods in order to gauge any changes in your hearing before undergoing major surgery or treatment-you may be able to remedy the problem naturally without having to enlist the help of traditional medicines. Through the process, keep your doctor informed and talk with him/her about ways that you can improve your hearing naturally, and ask about prescription medications and the reactions they create when coupled with natural supplements.