Everyone has those days where washing the dishes, going to work or doing laundry leaves them more tired than usual. For people with hearing loss, listening fatigue is one common reason for this exhaustion. Listening fatigue is generally broken into two categories: fatigue from listening effort and fatigue from hearing new sounds.
These two categories appear contradictory but have the same result: tiredness or burnout at the end of your day. Let’s look at both causes of listening fatigue and what you can do to improve your energy.
Fatigue From Listening Effort
One study analyzing the self-reported fatigue scores of people with and without hearing loss found that all groups with hearing loss reported significantly increased effort and fatigue compared to the control group.
For people with hearing loss, everyday communication can feel exhausting. The mental effort and physical energy expended to understand speech, communicate effectively and remain aware of your surroundings can leave you tired at the end of the day.
Hearing aids are an excellent option to combat fatigue from listening efforts. These small but technologically advanced devices collect and amplify speech sounds while suppressing background noise to help clarify communication and minimize the effort needed to understand those around you.
If you feel hearing loss is causing burnout or exhaustion from your everyday activities, consider making an appointment for a hearing test and treatment consultation with your audiologist.
Fatigue From New Sounds
On the flip side of fatigue from listening effort is fatigue from new sounds. While hearing aids significantly improve your quality of life and reduce the mental and physical effort needed for daily communication, the acclimation period for new devices may leave you tired.
When you first get hearing aids, sounds like birds chirping in Rivercrest Park and the clinking of dishes might feel stressful and exhausting. Because hearing loss prevents you from hearing these minor noises, hearing aids may make them feel like minor annoyances.
This acclimation period is very normal. Most people will experience listening fatigue for a short period following the adoption of new hearing aids. If your hearing aids are causing listening fatigue, try taking them out for an hour or two to give your ears time to rest. While consistency of wear is important, so is your comfort.
By adopting hearing aids and giving yourself a few breaks during the acclimation period, you can help combat listening fatigue for a better, more energized you.
To make an appointment for a hearing test and treatment consultation, contact Audiology Associates of Redding today.