Tiredness can have a wide variety of causes, ranging from a simple sleepless night to respiratory problems such as sleep apnea. But there is something more common that can also be the cause of tiredness and that’s hearing loss.
That’s at least partially due to the fact that hearing loss usually progresses gradually over time. You might not immediately recognize the symptoms and, as a result, you may feel as if you are constantly tired for no reason. This can be a frustrating experience. This exhaustion can frequently 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 progresses gradually (and your brain compensates)
Hearing loss is normally a gradually developing condition that grows worse over time. In its early phases, you likely won’t even notice that you’re developing hearing loss. Even common symptoms, like turning up the volume on your TV and smartphone, can be easy to miss if you aren’t watching for them.
One of the more difficult to miss symptoms of hearing loss is often fatigue. Regardless of how much sleep you get, you could still feel fatigued. This symptom, regrettably, isn’t usually associated with hearing loss.
Because the cause happens in your brain, the symptoms aren’t generally considered an ear issue. Your brain has to work overtime to process sound due to the loss of your ability to hear, which can leave you exhausted. Just as extended periods of intense concentration can leave you worn out, the additional brain power needed to hear what individuals are saying can be exhausting. Your ability to perform daily tasks and your general quality of life can be significantly affected over time as your neglected hearing loss grows worse.
The role of stigma
So why don’t more people just go see a hearing specialist when they start feeling fatigued? One partial reason is that individuals just don’t connect fatigue with hearing loss. But there’s another reason that may ultimately be more detrimental: stigma. There’s a feeling that hearing loss is bad or ruins your life or that there’s nothing you can do about it. Individuals will often avoid pursuing treatment because of these mistaken notions.
However, as more people are open about their hearing loss experience, the stigma has begun to fade. Many people understand that hearing loss isn’t 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 let go of this stigma.
Regrettably, this perception of social stigma can cause people in the early stages of hearing loss to avoid getting the treatment they need leading to more severe permanent hearing loss.
Treatment options for hearing loss-related fatigue
There are often no obvious symptoms of early stage hearing loss. That’s why hearing specialists prefer to take a preventative approach rather than the far more difficult and less effective reactive method. For example, scheduling regular screenings with a hearing specialist before you notice symptoms can help establish a baseline of what your healthy hearing looks like. Early treatment will be a lot more effective after we have determined that baseline.
You can minimize hearing loss associated exhaustion by taking a few proactive measures. Here are a few of the most prevalent and easiest steps:
- Try to have conversations in quieter places: When there is a lot of background noise, it can be difficult to sort out voices, even with hearing aids in some circumstances. Moving conversations to an area with less background noise can make it easier for your brain to focus on the voice you’re trying to hear, minimizing fatigue in the process.
- Give yourself a rest in between conversations: Give yourself some quiet time to rest and refresh in between conversations. This can help your brain recover from all the work it’s doing and make everyday communication a little more sustainable.
- If you use hearing aids, wear them as frequently as you can: One of the chief functions of hearing aids is to clarify human speech, making understanding conversations much easier. This means your brain won’t have to work as hard and you won’t experience the same amount of fatigue.
- Schedule a consultation with a hearing specialist: Keeping an eye on the condition of your hearing is essential. Consulting a hearing specialist can help you detect hearing loss in its early stages when it’s less of a problem and your brain doesn’t need to work as hard to compensate.
It’s most likely time to make an appointment with a hearing specialist if you’re experiencing fatigue with no apparent cause. You can reduce your fatigue and boost your energy by treating your hearing loss. Don’t neglect your hearing loss because you’re concerned about the stigma.
