Have you ever gone for a long walk and felt completely worn out afterward? You may have felt a similar sense of exhaustion after a prolonged conversation. If that sounds familiar, you’ve likely experienced listening fatigue, a common phenomenon. If you deal with hearing loss and find conversations draining, here are nine tips to help reduce listening fatigue and become a better conversation partner.
Face the Person You’re Speaking With
When engaging in a conversation, avoid speaking from the side or shouting from another room. Instead, make a point to face your conversation partner. This allows you to not only hear better but also read their facial expressions and gestures, which can provide valuable context.
Ensure There’s Good Lighting
Visual cues play a key role in communication. If you’re having an important conversation, aim to do so in a well-lit area. Poor lighting can make it difficult to read lips or catch subtle facial movements, so bright spaces are always better.
Use Your Stronger Ear
If one of your ears works better than the other, position yourself so that your stronger ear is facing the person you’re talking to. This will make it easier to hear them more clearly.
Move Closer to Your Conversation Partner
Maintaining an ideal distance during a conversation is essential. The best range is generally around three to five feet. If you’re unsure whether you’re too close, simply ask the other person if they’re comfortable with the distance.
Stay Focused on the Conversation
It’s easy to become distracted or get lost in your own thoughts while talking to someone. Instead, try to focus intently on what they’re saying and make an effort to grasp the key points they are communicating.
Be Honest if You Miss Something
If you didn’t catch something that was said, don’t pretend that you did. Bluffing your way through a conversation can cause you to miss out on essential information. Instead, ask for clarification if you’re uncertain about something.
Ask for Clarification with Specific Questions
Rather than saying something general like, “I didn’t catch that,” try to ask specific questions about what you think you missed. This can help clarify what the other person is trying to convey and keep the conversation moving smoothly.
Advocate for Your Needs
No one understands your communication preferences better than you. If there’s something you need from your conversation partner—whether it’s repeating a statement or slowing down—don’t hesitate to advocate for yourself. Most people are happy to adjust to help you better engage in the conversation.
Consider Getting Hearing Aids
If you have hearing loss and don’t currently use hearing aids, or if you’re using outdated devices, it might be time to talk to an audiologist about upgrading. Modern hearing aids can dramatically improve your ability to communicate and reduce listening fatigue. For more information or to book an appointment, contact Advanced Hearing today.