There are lots of possible causes of fatigue, everything from the inability to sleep at night to respiratory problems like sleep apnea. But there is something more common that can also be the cause of fatigue and that’s hearing loss.
That’s at least partly because of the fact that hearing loss usually develops gradually over time. You may find yourself continuously fatigued for no apparent reason because you failed to recognize the symptoms of early hearing loss. This can be a frustrating experience. This exhaustion can often turn into irritability which could cause you to socially seclude yourself. Fortunately, your energy levels will normally improve once you get your hearing loss treated.
Hearing loss moves slowly (and your brain compensates)
Hearing loss is usually a gradually progressing condition that gets worse over time. You may not even recognize that you have a hearing impairment at first. Even common symptoms, like turning the volume up on your TV and smartphone, can be easy to miss if you’re not looking for them.
One of the more difficult to miss symptoms of hearing loss is often exhaustion. Regardless of how much sleep you get, you could still feel fatigued. This symptom, regrettably, isn’t usually associated with hearing loss.
That’s because the cause takes place in your brain. Your brain has to work extra hard to process sound due to the loss of your ability to hear, which can leave you fatigued. In the same way as prolonged periods of intense concentration can leave you fatigued, the additional brain power required to hear what individuals are saying can be exhausting. Left neglected, this fatigue can grow worse over time, affecting your quality of life and your ability to perform daily routine activities.
Stigma plays a role
So why don’t more people just consult a hearing specialist when they begin feeling fatigued? There are several explanations: frequently people are busy or thinking about other things. But there’s another reason that may inevitably be more damaging: stigma. People frequently feel like others will think they’re old if they have hearing loss and that acknowledging it will ruin their lives. People will frequently avoid pursuing treatment because of these false notions.
However, this stigma is beginning to fade away as more people become open to their hearing loss. Many individuals understand that hearing loss is not some kind of social failing, and the very small construction of modern hearing aids makes them easy to hide around people who sadly will not get over this stigma.
Unfortunately, this perception of social stigma can cause individuals in the early stages of hearing loss to put off on getting the treatment they need leading to more serious permanent hearing loss.
Solutions for hearing loss-related fatigue
The earliest phases of hearing loss may not have any apparent symptoms. That makes it difficult to effectively take a reactive strategy, and it’s why many hearing specialists favor preventative techniques. Hearing specialists advocate for regular screenings in order to create a baseline of your healthy hearing, that way they will be capable of identifying changes to your hearing in later screenings. Once this baseline is achieved, early intervention is frequently much more effective.
If your hearing loss is causing fatigue, there are a few steps you can take to lessen that exhaustion as much as possible. Some of the simplest and most common measures include the following:
- Make sure you wear your hearing aids as often as you can: One of the primary functions of hearing aids is to clarify human speech, making understanding conversations much easier. This means you won’t be as tired because your brain won’t have to work so hard.
- Schedule an assessment with a hearing specialist: Keeping an eye on the state of your hearing is essential. Visiting a hearing specialist can help you detect hearing loss in its early stages when it’s less of an issue and your brain doesn’t need to work as hard to compensate.
- Try to find more quiet, secluded areas for conversations: Sorting out voices from background noise can be difficult when you have hearing loss (often whether you’re using hearing aids or not). Moving conversations to an area with less background noise can make it easier for your brain to focus on the voice you’re attempting to hear, reducing fatigue in the process.
- Give yourself a rest in between conversations: Give yourself some quiet time to rest and recharge in between conversations. This can help your brain recuperate from all the work it’s doing and make day-to-day communication a little more sustainable.
It’s probably time to schedule an appointment with a hearing specialist if you’re experiencing exhaustion with no obvious cause. Treating hearing loss can help you minimize your exhaustion and boost your energy. Don’t neglect your hearing loss because you’re afraid of the stigma.
