If you feel worn out or fatigued even after a good night’s sleep, you might assume it’s due to stress, a busy schedule or poor sleep quality. However, a lesser-known cause of persistent tiredness could be related to your hearing health. Let’s explore how hearing loss can contribute to fatigue, highlight some additional signs to watch for and look at a few ways to boost your energy levels.
How Are Hearing Loss and Fatigued Linked?
Hearing loss affects more than just your ability to hear clearly. It can lead to communication challenges, making it difficult to understand conversations, especially in noisy environments. When you struggle to hear, your brain has to work harder to process and interpret sounds. This extra mental effort can be draining, leading to a phenomenon known as listening fatigue.
You can liken listening fatigue to trying to solve a brain teaser every time you speak with another person. That’s how it can feel for someone with untreated hearing loss. As a result, you might feel exhausted by the end of the day—not because of physical exertion but due to the mental strain of listening and comprehending.
What Are Some Common Signs of Hearing Loss?
A few common signs you might have hearing loss include:
- Asking others to repeat themselves often
- Feeling that others are mumbling
- Finding background noise bothersome
- Skipping social interactions
- Mental fatigue and irritability
- Raising the volume on your TV or radio higher than is comfortable for others
- Difficulty hearing high-pitched noises like children or chirping birds in Lenora Park
- Avoiding phone conversations
- Difficulty hearing consonants
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms combined with excessive fatigue, it’s a good idea to schedule a hearing test with one of our specialists.
What Can You Do to Manage Listening Fatigue?
Persistent fatigue from listening effort can impact your quality of life, but there are ways to alleviate the strain:
- Seek hearing treatment. Identifying the problem is the first step toward effective treatment. Schedule a hearing test to identify your hearing loss and the best treatment option moving forward—whether hearing aids, auditory training or cochlear implants.
- Take listening breaks. If you feel overwhelmed, try incorporating quiet time into your daily routine. Step outside for a walk, read a book, listen to a meditation or simply relax in a calm environment to rest your ears and brain.
- Try auditory training exercises. Auditory training is a great way to help your brain learn how to process speech without fatigue. Download an auditory training app or ask your hearing specialist about specific exercises to help improve your communication ease.
If you’re consistently tired and suspect it could be linked to your hearing, don’t wait to seek help. Schedule a hearing test with our specialists at Advanced Hearing today.