Can I prevent or slow down early hearing loss?
Hearing loss caused by noise and by certain medications is very preventable, but for age-related hearing loss no proven interventions yet exist. The greatest gain comes from protecting your ears from loud sounds now.
Noise is the most common preventable cause of hearing loss, and the damage is irreversible. That makes prevention all the more important: once it is gone, hearing is gone. In the workplace, a layered approach works best: first reduce the noise source itself, then apply organisational measures, and only as a last resort use personal hearing protection such as earplugs. Periodic hearing checks are also part of this approach.
Out on the street and during leisure time, the risks come from headphones at high volume, concerts and nightclubs. This is a growing cause of hearing loss among young people. 'Safe listening' campaigns and devices with a volume limit are recommended as prevention, but how well these work in practice varies by approach. Also pay attention to the signal that your ears are ringing or temporarily hearing less well after loud noise: even such a temporary dip increases the risk of permanent damage.
Some medications damage hearing as a side effect, in particular certain antibiotics (aminoglycosides) and some chemotherapy agents. The WHO recommends using these agents only when no alternatives are available, and monitoring hearing throughout. Because international guidelines for this are still lacking, it is wise to actively discuss this point with your doctor if you are considering such a treatment.
Hearing loss associated with ageing is a different matter. The molecular causes are still largely unknown, and there are currently no proven agents to slow it down or reverse it. Antioxidants are being investigated as possible protection against noise-induced hearing loss, but the results are contradictory and no effective treatment is yet available for daily use. This remains an active area of research.
What is clear is that untreated hearing loss in older age is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline, depression, falls and social isolation. Whether hearing loss causes those problems or whether both share a common cause has not yet been determined. But it underscores why taking your hearing seriously is worthwhile, even though the prevention options for age-related loss remain limited for now.
This answer is based on multiple reviews describing different causes of hearing loss. The evidence for noise prevention (workplace and recreational) and for ototoxic medications is strongest: concrete preventive measures are supported here. For antioxidants and therapies against age-related hearing loss, the evidence is thin and contradictory; the researchers themselves describe this as an early stage of research with no proven treatments yet. No randomised studies were included that demonstrate cause and effect for specific preventive supplements or lifestyle interventions.
How do I keep my eyes healthy and prevent cataracts or macular degeneration?
Protect your eyes with UV-filtering glasses, a diet rich in vegetables and fruit, good diabetes management and regular eye check-ups. If cataracts have advanced significantly, surgery is the only proven solution.
How do I keep my joints supple and prevent osteoarthritis?
Exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are the best-supported ways to prevent osteoarthritis and manage symptoms; however, no treatment stops the disease once it has begun.
What helps against osteoarthritis (joint degeneration)?
Supervised exercise therapy and diclofenac gel have the strongest evidence base in osteoarthritis. Paracetamol and opioids work less well than many people think; discuss medication choices with your doctor, especially if you have heart or stomach complaints.
Can stem cell therapy slow down ALS?
Stem cell therapy has not yet been proven effective in ALS patients; the procedure appears to be safely feasible, but whether it slows the disease is currently unknown.
Does exercise help with Parkinson's disease?
Exercise demonstrably helps with Parkinson's disease: motor symptoms decrease and quality of life improves. Dance and aquatic exercise have the strongest evidence base; flexibility training offers little benefit. Discuss with your healthcare provider which form best suits your situation.
How do you protect yourself against tick bites?
Protective clothing, DEET on the skin and a thorough tick check after going outdoors together form a sensible strategy. If you have been bitten by a tick that was attached long enough, discuss with your general practitioner whether a single dose of doxycycline within 72 hours is appropriate.