A new study has added another reason why people should eat more fish. Fish appears to be able to reduce the occurrence of hearing loss by up to 20 percent.

Researchers reached this conclusion after following 65,215 nurses for 18 years from 1991 to 2009. Over the course of the study, more than 11,000 women reported hearing loss.

Women who ate at least two servings of fish per week were 20 percent less likely to experience hearing loss than those who ate no regular amounts of fish, the study reported. The study also says that hearing loss in the elderly can often be a debilitating health problem.

A diet that includes fish of all kinds has been associated with several health benefits over the years. Evidence suggests that the omega-3 oils in fish can have a protective effect on brain, heart, and eye health as well as preventative effects regarding cancer, diabetes, arthritis, dementia and depression.

Dr Sharon Curhan of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, who co-authored the study said, “Consumption of any type of fish – tuna, dark fish, light fish or shellfish – tended to be associated with lower risk. These findings suggest diet may be important in the prevention of acquired hearing loss.”

Doctors recommend that people work fish into their diets at least twice a week. They also encourage the fish consumed to be baked or grilled and not fried. The oil used to fry fish is hot enough to break down the omega-3, preventing its benefits when eaten.