Hearing loss can make it harder to listen to music, watch television or enjoy a conversation with your family when out for ribs at Mike’s American restaurant. These struggles can lead not only to frustration but to feelings of fatigue as well.
Research on Hearing Loss and Mental Fatigue
A study looked at hearing test results from over 3,000 participants over three years. Researchers had participants rate their levels of fatigue every day over two weeks and compared this with the results of their hearing exams. They found that participants with hearing loss were more likely to experience fatigue over half the days in that period than those with normal hearing.
Additional findings indicated that:
- People with hearing loss were more likely to experience fatigue every day.
- Those with more severe hearing loss were more likely to experience daily fatigue.
An earlier study looked at hearing loss and fatigue in the workplace specifically. They found that adults with hearing loss report more fatigue and more stress than their coworkers with normal hearing.
Why Does Hearing Loss Cause Fatigue?
Because hearing loss makes it harder to process speech and other sounds, your brain has to work harder to understand what is happening around you. Though it can be subtle, having to strain throughout the day to follow work meetings or conversations with friends and family can become exhausting. You may find yourself feeling tired more easily, specifically after days when you spent a lot of time interacting socially.
Hearing Aids Can Help
Mental fatigue caused by hearing loss can start to affect the way you interact with others. The stress and fatigue, coupled with more frequent misunderstandings, can make you start to isolate from others and lower your overall enjoyment of life. The good news is, that treating your hearing loss with hearing aids can help.
Hearing amplifies and clarifies speech and other sounds, which, in turn, means your brain doesn’t feel overloaded. Hearing aids let you focus on connecting with others and being fully present for whatever you’re doing, even in louder environments.
If you are concerned that hearing loss is contributing to your fatigue, call ENT Specialists Of Northern Virginia today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.