Looking Good, Sounding Better: Factors that Affect Our Senses
From as early as we can remember, our five senses have allowed us to perceive and understand the world around us, from the things we see to the scents we smell and the sounds we hear. And yet, it can be easy to take these vital abilities for granted. But with so many things threatening them, it’s vital to appreciate our senses while we have the full capacity of them.
While most of us naturally dread going blind or deaf, few of us are actually proactive about protecting our eyes and ears. And unfortunately, they are easy parts of the body to neglect. Yet, with just a little extra care, it may be possible to improve your chances of prolonging the effectiveness of your senses.
So, what are the best ways we can take care of our ears and eyes?
The Importance of Diet for Our Senses
Growing research shows that our basic diet may be just as important as hygiene or healthcare. Studies have linked low levels of certain nutrients to an increased risk of hearing loss and specific eye conditions.
For example, a study from Nigeria, published in the journal, Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery, low levels of folate or folic acid – a B vitamin – may be associated with age-related hearing loss in the elderly, as study author Akee Olawale explained: “Based on our research, age-related hearing loss may be associated with poor micro-nutrient status. The role of folate in cellular metabolism, the nervous system and vascular function is important for the auditory system.”
Other research shows that B vitamins may also be important in reducing the risk of age-related macular degeneration – the leading cause of blindness in the UK. A 2009 study, conducted at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, found that women who took a combination of B vitamins (B-6, folic acid, and B-12) reduced their risk of macular degeneration by around 40% after seven years compared with women who took placebo pills.
While more research is needed to determine whether over-the-counter vitamin B supplements may have the same effect, ensuring a plentiful consumption of foods rich in these nutrients could prove beneficial for your eye health (and general health!). Such foods include unprocessed meats, fortified cereals, beans, nuts, leafy vegetables such as spinach, and peas.
Other nutrients that have been found to support eye health include vitamins E and C, zinc, lutein, and omega-3 fatty acids. So, if you’re looking for an easy way to boost the health of these important organs, your diet could be the perfect place to start.
Professor Dan Reinstein, expert Laser Eye Surgeon and founder of London Vision Clinic, cautions against supplements that make claims about preserving sight:
“People need to be cautious; far better to eat healthily and take in nutrients in food.”
But there are two considerations that may be equally, or even more, important as your diet: Smoking and screening. When it comes to macular degeneration, smoking can be a significant risk factor.
“The real problem is macular degeneration,” Prof Reinstein says, “and the overwhelming way to avoid that is not to smoke cigarettes. Everyone has a high risk of developing macular degeneration – between 65 and 75, 15 per cent of the population will have it – a figure which rises to 30 per cent after 75. But if you smoke, your risk is double.”
So, why is smoking so dangerous to our sight?
Well, some experts think it’s because of certain chemicals found inside tobacco smoke. These compounds can disrupt blood flow to the retina, resulting in damage. Moreover, evidence suggests that these chemicals may alter antioxidants in the blood, which can potentially protect the macula (the central part of the retina) against damage.
“The good news is that whenever you quit, your chances of blindness start to diminish,” adds Prof Reinstein.
Screening for Glaucoma and Other Eye Conditions
Macular degeneration isn’t the only threat to our vision, especially as we age. The fact is that many of us dismiss optical screening as unnecessary and so never attend eye tests. After all, only around 30% of the population needs glasses. The remaining 70% of people may therefore not see the point in visiting an optician.
Yet, the NHS recommends that everyone, regardless of their prescription, should attend an eye test at least every two years. As Professor Reinstein explains:
“One of the leading causes of blindness is the disease glaucoma, yet you would never know you had it until it was advanced. Even the screening air-puff test is only 50 per cent effective.”
Glaucoma is often associated with an increase in intraocular pressure (the pressure inside the eye). Over time, this causes irreversible damage to the optic nerve, which can eventually threaten your vision.
“If we catch it early, we can treat it with drops and surgery, but any damage to the optic nerve is permanent, so we can’t reverse it.”
The best way to manage the condition effectively is to catch it early, which can be achieved with a routine eye test.
Protecting Your Hearing
We might be a Laser Eye Surgery clinic, but that doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate the importance of looking after other parts of our bodies. Take your ears, for example. Most of us take for granted how these oft-forgotten organs pick up crisp and clear sounds from all around us. That is, until we start to notice that something isn’t quite right.
But what can we do to keep our ears working to the fullest?
Well, experts suggest that, if you want to keep your ears working well, you should consider all three parts: the outer ear (which acts as a funnel for sound), the middle ear (which equalises pressure between the outer and inner ears via the eustachian tubes), and of course, the inner ear (where soundwaves are converted and sent to the brain for interpretation).
Andrew McCombe, a consultant ear, nose and throat surgeon at Frimley Park Hospital, Surrey, and spokesman for the head and neck surgery information service ENT-UK, explains more:
Don’t be afraid of your earwax
“You need to look after all the parts to protect your hearing,” he says. Firstly, he recommends that you leave earwax alone: “It is a misconception that it needs to be cleaned out; it is a build-up of sebum secretions and old skin, and should naturally drop out.
“If you feel you must get it out, try sodium bicarbonate ear drops from a pharmacist to soften the wax (olive oil or hydrogen peroxide drops can work, too). Syringing by a doctor or nurse can be useful, but there is no need to go all the time.”
Be aware of the best ways to manage infections
Problems in the middle ear tend to be a feature of early childhood, says McCombe. “Some children find they don’t work too well; in this case, grommets can be placed in the eardrum where they help the flow of air and pressure, and help prevent ear infections.”
In adults, he warns, middle-ear infections can be caused by flying with a cold: “The ear will struggle to keep pressure equal, which can cause bruising of the chamber, earache and fluid build-up leading to infection. If you have to fly with a cold, invest in a decongestant, and concentrate on sucking a sweet on descent as that’s when you really need to get the eustachian tubes open, as pressure is more difficult to stabilise.”
The inner ears are more difficult to care for: “Try not to bang your head as injuries can damage your hearing and your balance permanently,” says McCombe. “Consider wearing a helmet when skiing or cycling, for example. If you suffer an infection such as labyrinthitis, which will affect balance, there is nothing much you can do except wait for your body to recover from the virus. Take rest and plenty of fluids.
Be conscious of exposure to loud noises
We all know that loud sounds can be damaging to our ears. Yet, many of us are unaware of the safe limits of sound exposure. The fact is that our ears are surprisingly sensitive.
“Anything above 85 decibels (a busy street with traffic noise) for longer than eight hours will put you at risk, and the risk increases sharply so that at 94 decibels, you could suffer damage after just one hour,” McCombe explains.
“Rock concerts can be about 110 decibels, so you could think about using earplugs – don’t be concerned about sound quality. Research shows that using [earplugs] can help improve function so that your hearing of the music is better, not worse.”
And it’s not just at music concerts that you should consider wearing ear protection. Any jobs that involve exposure to loud sounds for extended periods, such as construction or transport, may require you to wear earplugs or ear defenders – and for good reason!
It might be surprising to learn just how sensitive our senses can be to damage. But with some simple changes, we can help protect our sight and hearing for years to come. For more information about eye health, or to enquire about our Laser Eye Surgery treatments, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators or Book a Consultation today.