Is Hearing Loss the Cause of My Tiredness?

After spending all day at work, hanging out with friends or enjoying some quality time with your family, it’s natural to feel a little exhausted. For people with hearing loss, however, these important social interactions can lead to greater fatigue.

Why Does Hearing Loss Increase Fatigue?

When you struggle to understand those around you, the mental strain can leave you feeling exhausted. This is because your brain has to work in overdrive to process speech, especially in noisy or distracting environments. This exhaustion, also called listening fatigue, is similar to how you might feel after taking a big test or reading a dense, nonfiction book. Over time, listening fatigue can make it hard to concentrate, understand speech and actively interact in social situations.

Ways to Overcome Listening Fatigue and Regain Focus

You don’t have to live with the constant drag of listening fatigue. Managing hearing loss with hearing aids can significantly ease listening, helping you stay engaged without feeling drained. In addition to specialized treatment, there are also a few easy changes you can make each day to conserve your energy and reduce listening fatigue:

Create quiet moments. Visit the Haddonfield Public Library, hang out at a quiet coffee shop or enjoy a day at the park if you’re overwhelmed.
Use visual cues. Sit close to the person speaking, allowing you to read facial expressions and lip movements for easier understanding.
Limit background noise. When possible, opt for quieter conversation settings, easing the strain of competing sounds.
Request rephrasing. If you miss part of a conversation, ask for a rephrased response rather than a repeat. The rephrasing will help you understand the context and clear up specific words or sounds you struggle to hear.
Take mini-breaks. During long conversations or meetings, step away briefly to give your ears a rest.

By investing in hearing aids and employing a few communication strategies, you can ease the stress of communication and minimize listening fatigue. To learn more about how hearing treatment can help you, contact Advanced ENT & Allergy today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.