Improve your hearing

Tips and exercises for a better listening experience

Our hearing has a decisive influence on our lives. It enables us to understand what is being said, to hold conversations, to acquire information and knowledge, and to learn new things. What’s more, our hearing is a key factor in our safety, for example in road traffic, in dangerous situations, and so on. Finally, good hearing contributes to our quality of life by enabling us to enjoy music and other sounds that enhance our emotional well-being.

All these things are good reasons to protect our hearing as much as possible and, should hearing loss have already occurred, to improve it. But is that even possible? And if so, how? Find out more below.

Preventing hearing loss

Our hearing is very sensitive. That’s why it’s better to be safe than sorry. To ensure you can hear well for as long as possible, preventing hearing loss is key. This includes, for example:

Protection from loud noises
Protect your hearing from loud noises and noise pollution. Music that is too loud, construction noise and the like can cause significant damage to your hearing. For this reason, you should avoid these sources of noise at all costs. If this is not possible, you should use suitable hearing protection. This includes, for example, noise-cancelling headphones and earplugs.

A healthy diet
A balanced diet can help keep your hearing healthy in the long term. Certain nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, vitamin C and zinc, are particularly important for hearing health. They can reduce inflammation, improve blood flow in the inner ear and support the overall health of the auditory nerve.

Regular hearing checks
To ensure your hearing has not deteriorated, you should have a hearing test regularly. Our online hearing test gives you an initial indication of whether you have difficulty understanding speech against background noise. For a professional hearing test, we recommend visiting an ENT specialist or hearing aid specialist.

Exercises and techniques to improve hearing

Have you noticed that your hearing has deteriorated recently? If so, the most important thing is to first identify the causes with the help of a doctor. Hearing problems do not always automatically mean hearing impairment or impending hearing loss, but they should be investigated immediately to prevent them from becoming chronic.

If you do suffer from hearing problems, there are various exercises and techniques to improve your hearing. These include, for example:

Auditory exercises

Music, radio plays and audiobooks can help improve auditory perception. For example, try to identify sounds of nature, or listen to music and analyse it, trying to understand the lyrics or recognise the instruments.

Meditation

Listening with hearing problems also involves increased effort and stress. You should therefore relax regularly. Why not try meditation and mindfulness exercises? Various memory training exercises can also help to improve your hearing.

Sport

Sport supports our health and well-being, provided it is practised in moderation, of course. Yoga, for example, can improve balance, which in turn is closely linked to our hearing.

Hearing training

Specialised hearing training can help improve brain function and speech comprehension. This includes exercises for speech comprehension or directional hearing. You can undertake this hearing training as part of professional audiotherapy or, in some cases, independently using apps and software.

Medical and technological support

In addition to various exercises and behavioural tips to help improve your hearing, there are now a wide range of technical solutions designed to improve hearing in cases of hearing loss or to make everyday life easier for people with hearing impairment. These include, for example:

Hearing aids and implants

Hearing aids are sometimes customised to the specific needs of people with hearing loss. It is important to choose the right device, ranging from in-the-ear or in-the-canal hearing aids to cochlear implants. Modern hearing aids now offer many additional benefits, such as noise cancellation, special settings for watching television, etc.

Modern technologies and apps

Modern technologies can now improve hearing in many areas. In addition to hearing aids, these include, for example, TV amplifiers or chin-strap headphones, special telephones for people with hearing loss, and many different apps that, for example, boost the volume. Artificial intelligence (AI) is also playing an increasingly important role here.

Frequently asked questions about improving hearing

Why do I have difficulty hearing?

The reasons why you may have difficulty hearing can vary greatly. They range from a blocked ear, for example if a build-up of earwax has formed, to age-related hearing loss. Other causes may include medical conditions, such as infections, noise-induced hearing loss or genetic factors. If you notice a decline in your hearing, it is therefore important not to ignore it, but rather to consult an ENT specialist at an early stage, who can identify the causes and suggest possible treatments.

Can hearing be restored?

The question of whether hearing can be restored can only be answered on an individual basis. Hearing loss can be temporary, for example due to illness or a blockage of the ear canal caused by earwax. It is therefore important to recognise hearing loss early and to have it examined by a doctor without fail. If hearing loss occurs, it is generally not completely curable.

Surgery helps only a small proportion of those affected. However, there are various options and technologies available to help you hear better in everyday life, such as hearing aids. Whilst they cannot reverse hearing loss, they can help improve your ability to understand speech and perceive ambient sounds.

What is hearing training?

If hearing loss occurs at some point, whether due to age or illness, it makes sense to act early. Seeing an ENT specialist may help prevent the symptoms from worsening. There are also various hearing training programmes for people with hearing loss or hearing aid users, which can help them cope better with the new situation and, in some cases, even improve their hearing again.

You can undertake hearing training either as part of professional audiotherapy or on your own, for example using special apps. These training programmes usually comprise a series of different exercises designed to improve hearing, including exercises for speech comprehension, directional hearing, distinguishing sounds, etc.