As your hearing begins to decline, you will need to apply more thought to processing sound waves, which quickly becomes mentally and emotionally draining. Let’s dive into the often-forgotten connection between hearing loss and listening fatigue.
What Is Listening Fatigue?
Also referred to as auditory fatigue, listening fatigue occurs when the brain must work harder than usual to translate sound waves. The more time you must invest in narrowing down what someone just said or comprehending the complexity of what they said the greater your cognitive load. Increasing your cognitive load leads to mental fatigue, which can leave you feeling burned out.
If you slept well and woke feeling refreshed, but find yourself drained mid-day for no discernible reason—a decline in hearing could be the cause. Hearing loss is not the only reason for unexplained fatigue, so you must seek medical care to determine and treat the cause.
Can Anyone Experience Auditory Fatigue?
Yes, anyone can experience auditory fatigue. If you have ever felt exhausted after listening to a long lecture, found yourself pressing pause while watching a documentary on a complex topic, or frustrated trying to hear someone speak from far away—auditory fatigue is the cause.
While anyone can experience this type of fatigue, it is often a daily occurrence for those with hearing loss. In fact, it may be one of the first symptoms you recognize.
Understanding and addressing listening fatigue is crucial for maintaining and improving your quality of life as your hearing fades. Identifying the root cause of your hearing loss and wearing hearing aids can rapidly decrease your fatigue.
What Are the Symptoms of Hearing Loss?
Increased listening effort and fatigue are a combined symptom of hearing loss.
Other symptoms include:
- Frequently asking others to repeat themselves in person.
- Increased difficulty hearing on the phone or when video conferencing.
- It sounds like almost everyone is mumbling when they speak.
- Loved ones commenting that the volume of your TV and electronics is high.
- Struggling to hear even when the volume of electronics is high.
- Frequently misunderstanding specific words or full conversations.
- Feeling mentally and emotionally drained after listening for long periods of time.
- Feeling mentally and emotionally drained when in noisy places.
- Having a harder time hearing women, children, or those with a higher-pitched voice.
How Does the Brain Process Sound?
Your brain consumes about 20 percent of the energy you burn per day. Beyond thought, the brain works synergistically with your central nervous system to control memory, emotion, motor skills, vision, breathing, hunger, hearing, and all processes in the body.
Sound processing in the brain is a multi-phase process that occurs in a fraction of a second. Sound waves enter the ear and travel to the eardrum. When sound waves strike the eardrum, it causes the ear drum to vibrate. These vibrations are transmitted to the inner ear and amplified and transmitted to the cochlea. The cochlea is a sensory organ. It contains thousands of tiny hair cells that convert sound waves into what the brainstem translates into language, music, background noise, and all other sounds.
How to Minimize Listening Fatigue?
Now that you understand the connection between hearing loss and listening fatigue, let’s explore how to minimize your symptoms.
- Hearing aids: Wearing hearing aids consistently optimizes hearing, minimizing your mental and emotional burden. Even with hearing aids, you may need to utilize the remaining tips to reduce your emotional and cognitive load.
- Give your brain a break: Just like a 10-minute break can help you refocus at work, removing yourself from auditory stimulation gives your brain a break. If you cannot remove yourself from the noise, utilize stress-relieving techniques, such as deep breathing, to take the edge off.
- Minimize background noise: When possible, make plans in places that have minimal background noise. When appropriate, wear noise-cancelling earplugs or headphones. Always wear your hearing aids, as modern hearing aids have technology built-in to minimize background noise.
- Ask for what you need: There is no shame in asking for what you need. Explain your auditory needs to friends and family. Also, let your employers know how they can support your hearing health to keep your productivity and quality of work high.
- Take a nap: If it is an option, take a 20 to 30 minute nap. This is enough time to reduce stress and improve your mood, memory, and alertness. Even if you do not fall asleep, it gives you time to rest your brain.
Think Your Fatigue May Be Caused by Hearing Loss?
Wondering if your fatigue is caused by hearing loss? If you live in around Staten Island, New York or Holmdel, New Jersey, schedule an appointment with Dr. Stella Fulman of Audiology Island. Dr. Fulman will complete a diagnostic hearing evaluation to determine if you are experiencing hearing loss and listening fatigue.
