How to Improve your hearing: 13 practical ways & curiosities

Improving hearing is a common concern for many people, whether due to age, noise exposure, ear infections, or early signs of hearing loss. While not all types of hearing loss can be reversed, there are many effective strategies to boost hearing naturally, protect your ears, and improve overall hearing ability. Hearing aids play a crucial role in managing hearing loss, as they amplify sounds, improve speech clarity, and support communication in daily life, making it easier to stay socially active and safe. Understanding when to use hearing aids alongside natural and lifestyle strategies is essential for optimal hearing health.

This guide explains how to improve hearing naturally and at home, combining practical habits, hearing exercises, nutrition, and medical options. It is written for clarity and usefulness, with a focus on prevention, awareness, and timely support, including the option to book a free hearing test or a professional consultation if needed.

Nutrition supports hearing health by helping maintain blood flow and protecting sensitive inner ear structures. While food alone cannot cure hearing loss, a balanced diet may help slow progression and support long-term hearing function.

Certain foods may also influence earwax production, which can affect hearing if excessive wax builds up. Including the right foods can support ear health without contributing to wax overproduction.

Foods that improve hearing often include:

• Fatty fish rich in omega-3, which support circulation in the inner ear
• Leafy green vegetables, providing antioxidants and nutrients that protect ear cells
• Eggs and dairy products, which are good sources of vitamin D
• Nuts, seeds, and whole grains, supporting overall ear and nerve health

Many people ask, do mushrooms improve hearing? Mushrooms contain antioxidants and vitamin D, which may contribute to ear health when eaten regularly as part of a healthy diet. If you are unsure what to eat to improve hearing, focusing on whole, unprocessed foods is a strong starting point.

Hearing apps can be very useful for people looking to improve hearing at home, especially those who want to train their listening skills or monitor changes over time.

Popular options include:

• Hear Coach (for speech comprehension in noisy environments)
• Mimi Hearing Test (for personalised hearing assessments)
• Petralex Hearing Aid App (for temporary sound amplification)
• AudioCardio (for auditory training exercises)
• Tinnitus Therapy Lite (for sound therapy and tinnitus management)

These apps may help you:

• Increase awareness of subtle changes in your hearing
• Practise listening in noisy or challenging environments
• Build confidence in everyday conversations

It is important to remember that while these apps can support hearing exercises, they cannot diagnose hearing loss. Persistent difficulties or noticeable hearing changes should always be evaluated with a professional hearing test.

Certain vitamins and supplements may support ear health and help prevent further deterioration. Vitamins commonly associated with hearing function include:

• Vitamin B12 – Supports nerve health, which is essential for proper auditory function. Deficiency in B12 has been linked to an increased risk of hearing impairment.
• Vitamin D – Plays a role in maintaining bone health, including the small bones of the middle ear. Adequate vitamin D may support overall ear structure and function.
• Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E – Protect cells in the inner ear from damage caused by oxidative stress and free radicals, which can contribute to age-related or noise-induced hearing loss.
• Magnesium and zinc – May help protect against noise-induced hearing loss and support nerve function in the auditory system.
• Supplements should only be taken if a deficiency is confirmed, as they do not benefit all types of hearing loss, particularly genetic or age-related hearing loss. Maintaining a balanced diet rich in these nutrients, combined with healthy lifestyle habits, is generally more effective for supporting hearing health than relying solely on supplements.

For those concerned about hearing loss, it is always recommended to book a professional hearing test before starting any supplement regimen, as personalised guidance ensures safety and effectiveness.

Everyday listening habits — like the volume you choose on your TV, phone or other audio devices — can have a long-term impact on your hearing health. Listening at high volume for extended periods, even on seemingly harmless devices such as a television, can contribute to gradual hearing damage over time, especially if levels regularly exceed safe sound thresholds (above about 75–80 dB). Keeping audio at a comfortable, moderate level helps reduce stress on the ears and supports long-term hearing preservation.

For example, experts suggest watching TV at levels similar to normal conversation — around 60–70 decibels — and avoiding blasting the volume just to catch dialogue or sound effects. If you find yourself constantly increasing the volume to hear clearly, it may be a sign to review your hearing or adjust audio settings (such as enabling “dialogue enhancement” modes) rather than relying on louder sound.

Lowering the volume on devices and taking regular listening breaks helps protect your ears now and in the long run, especially if you’re frequently exposed to media or audio content.

While music cannot repair hearing damage, sound therapy may help retrain the brain’s response to sound, particularly for tinnitus or sound sensitivity. Gentle background noise or structured listening exercises may improve listening comfort over time.

Sound therapy works best when tailored to individual hearing needs, ideally following a hearing assessment.

There is no universal medication that restores hearing. In some cases, medicine to improve hearing may be prescribed for ear infections, inflammation or sudden hearing loss, depending on the diagnosis.

Medication should only be taken under medical supervision. If hearing suddenly worsens, prompt evaluation by a healthcare professional is essential.

In certain medical conditions, surgery can significantly improve hearing outcomes. For example:

• Tympanoplasty is performed to repair a damaged or perforated eardrum, restoring its ability to transmit sound efficiently and reducing the risk of recurrent ear infections.
• Stapedectomy is a procedure used to treat otosclerosis, a condition in which the small bones of the middle ear become stiff and reduce hearing. Removing or replacing the affected bone can improve sound transmission and restore partial or full hearing.

Other procedures, such as tympanomastoid surgery or reconstructive surgeries of the middle ear, may be recommended depending on chronic infections, trauma or congenital issues.

Whether an ear operation to improve hearing is suitable depends entirely on the underlying cause of hearing loss, the patient’s overall health, and the expected benefits versus risks. These procedures require careful evaluation by an ENT specialist, who will recommend the most appropriate approach and explain possible outcomes, recovery times and follow-up care. Early assessment is essential, as timely intervention can prevent further deterioration and optimise hearing improvement.

People often look for ways to improve hearing without hearing aids. While mild hearing difficulties may benefit from earwax removal, lifestyle changes or hearing training, these solutions are not effective for all types of hearing loss. Avoiding noise exposure, managing underlying conditions and having regular hearing tests are key steps.

Understanding the cause of hearing changes is essential before deciding on the most suitable approach.