The Link between Fatigue and Hearing Loss

Have you been feeling more tired and fatigued lately? There could be a connection between your fatigue and hearing loss. If you are feeling exhausted all the time or feel low on energy but can’t figure out why, it could be caused by something called listening fatigue. Listening fatigue is a condition that is caused by the extra efforts you are unconsciously making to try to hear. If you can’t explain why you have been feeling so tired lately, it may be time to schedule a hearing evaluation.

Hearing and Your Brain

You may not realize it, but hearing is actually a function of your brain. If your ears are not processing sounds and translating them properly, then your brain has to work harder to attempt to understand what you are hearing. When your brain is taxed because of hearing loss, you can become tired even though you weren’t doing any physical activity and even if you’ve had the proper amount of sleep. There are three areas of the brain that work with your auditory system to interpret sound and product speech:

  1. The temporal lobe is where the primary auditory cortex is. It receives sensory information from the inner ear.
  2. Wernicke’s area is located in the temporal lobe. It is responsible for speech comprehension.
  3. Broca’s area is also located in the temporal lobe and is responsible for speech production.

Hearing Aids Help Decrease Listening Fatigue

When fitted with the proper type of hearing aid, the fatigued and tired feeling that you were experiencing due to hearing loss will be diminished, if not gone completely. Hearing aids help you hear better and process speech better, improving all areas of listening that were causing your brain to work overtime. Listening fatigue may not go away completely because even people with normal hearing experience listening fatigue from time to time. Here are some ways to help lessen the effects of listening fatigue:

  • Take a break from noise. Even a short break for a few minutes away from noise can help give your ears and your brain a much needed break. Try taking a walk, finding a quiet place to relax, or read a book.
  • Take some deep breaths. Deep breathing is a relaxation technique that works for many different issues, but also helps in giving your brain a rest for a few minutes.
  • Eliminate background noise. For many people with hearing loss, background noises interfere with hearing. If you normally work in a room or office that has a great deal of background noises, try moving to a quieter space and you should see a reduction in your tired symptoms.
  • Take a nap. Sometimes, you have to give into the fatigue rather than work inefficiently trying to fight it. A quick nap for just 20 or 30 minutes can help you be more productive than if you didn’t take the time to rest.

Consult with the Hearing Experts at Kenwood Hearing Center

We help you deal with hearing loss during all aspects of your life and we are also here to help ensure that your hearing health can be the best it can be. Please contact us today and schedule an appointment. The experts at Kenwood Hearing Center are trained to help you and your family through all aspects of hearing loss and optimizing your hearing health.

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The purpose of this hearing assessment and/or demonstration is for hearing wellness to determine if the client(s) may benefit from using hearing aids. Products demonstrated may differ from products sold. Test conclusion may not be a medical diagnosis. The use of any hearing aid may not fully restore normal hearing and does not prevent future hearing loss. Testing is to evaluate your hearing wellness, which may include selling and fitting hearing aids. Hearing instruments may not meet the needs of all hearing-impaired individuals. One offer per customer. Insurance benefit, including Managed Care or federal reimbursements, cannot be combined with any of our promotional offers, coupons or discounts. Other terms may apply. See office for details.