You’ve most likely already recognized that your hearing is failing. Normally, we don’t even realize that our decisions are negatively affecting our hearing.

Many types of hearing loss are preventable with several basic lifestyle changes. Let’s look at six surprising secrets that will help you preserve your hearing.

1. Regulate Your Blood Pressure

It’s not good if your blood pressure remains high. A study found that people who have higher than-average blood pressure are 52% more likely to have hearing loss, not to mention other health problems.

Take steps to reduce your blood pressure and prevent hearing damage. Don’t neglect high blood pressure or wait to see a doctor. Management of blood pressure includes correct diet, exercise, stress management, and following your doctor’s advice.

2. Stop Smoking

There are plenty of reasons to quit smoking, here’s yet another: People who smoke are 15% more likely to suffer from hearing loss. Even more shocking: People who are regularly subjected to second-hand smoke are 28% more likely to have hearing troubles. Even if you leave the room, smoke remains for long periods of time with harmful repercussions.

If you’re a smoker, protect your hearing and think about quitting. Take measures to minimize your exposure to second-hand smoke if you hang out with a smoker.

3. Keep Your Diabetes Under Control

Diabetes or pre-diabetes affects one in four adults. Unless they make some significant lifestyle changes, somebody who is pre-diabetic will very likely develop diabetes within 5 years.

Blood vessels that are injured 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, safeguard your hearing by taking the correct steps to control it. Protect your hearing by making lifestyle changes if you are at risk of type 2 diabetes.

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) rises, so does your possibility of hearing loss and other health conditions. The risk of developing hearing loss increases 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.

Take actions to shed that excess weight. Something as simple as walking for 30 minutes each day can reduce your risk of hearing loss and prolong your life.

5. Don’t Overuse OTC Drugs

Hearing impairment can be the result of some over-the-counter (OTC) medications. The risk goes up when these drugs are taken on a regular basis over prolonged periods of time.

Medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin are known to cause hearing loss. Take these drugs sparingly and consult your doctor if you’re taking them regularly.

If you’re using the recommended dose for the periodic headache, studies suggest you’ll most likely be fine. Using them on a daily basis, however, increases the risk of hearing loss by up to 40% for men.

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

6. Eat More Broccoli

Broccoli is loaded with iron along with important nutrients such as vitamins C and K. Iron is vital to blood circulation and a healthy heart. Oxygen and nutrients are transported to your cells which helps keep them nourished and healthy and iron is a major part of this process.

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.

Pennsylvania State University researchers examined more than 300,000 individuals. People who have anemia (extreme iron deficiency) are twice as likely, according to this research, to develop sensorineural hearing loss than people who have typical iron concentrations. Sensorineural hearing loss is the scientific term for permanent hearing loss associated with aging.

The inner ear has tiny hair cells that detect sounds and communicate with the brain to transmit the volume and frequency of those sounds. If these hair cells die because of poor circulation or other complications related to iron deficiency, they never grow back.

You’re never too young to have your hearing examined, so don’t wait until it gets worse. Reduce hearing loss by using these simple tips in your everyday life.