There are a number of possible causes of tiredness, 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.
In part, that’s because hearing loss can be a slow-moving, subtle condition. You may not immediately distinguish the symptoms and, as a result, you might feel as if you’re constantly tired for no reason. This experience can be quite frustrating. In addition, this exhaustion can frequently lead to irritability and, ultimately, social isolation. Luckily, your energy levels will normally increase once you get your hearing loss treated.
Your brain will compensate for gradually developing hearing loss
Hearing loss is normally a slowly developing condition that grows worse over time. You might not even recognize that you have a hearing impairment at first. If you’re not specifically watching for them, even conspicuous symptoms, like turning the volume on your audio devices way up, can be easy to overlook.
Exhaustion is one of the most obvious symptoms of hearing loss. No matter how much rest you get, you could still feel exhausted. This symptom, unfortunately, isn’t typically 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. This constant extra work is exhausting in the same way that long periods of concentration can take a toll. Your ability to complete daily tasks and your total quality of life can be significantly affected over time as your untreated hearing loss grows worse.
The role of stigma
So why don’t more people just go see a hearing specialist when they start feeling tired? There are many explanations: frequently people are busy or thinking about other things. But there’s another reason that might ultimately be more detrimental: stigma. People frequently feel like others will think they’re old if they have hearing loss and that acknowledging it will ruin their lives. All of these things are false, and they prevent many people from finding treatment.
However, this stigma is starting to fade away as more people become open to their hearing loss. It’s becoming a more common understanding that hearing loss can happen to people of all ages and modern hearing aids are discreet enough that the few people who can’t get over this stigma won’t even see them.
It’s unfortunate that this social stigma can make it harder for people to find the care they need because this often results in hearing loss that grows worse over time when it might not have to.
Treatment options for hearing loss-related fatigue
There are often no noticeable symptoms of early phase hearing loss. That makes it challenging to effectively take a reactive strategy, and it’s why many hearing specialists prefer preventative techniques. For example, scheduling regular screenings with a hearing specialist before you detect symptoms can help establish a baseline of what your healthy hearing looks like. Once this baseline is achieved, early intervention is frequently a lot more effective.
You can minimize hearing loss associated exhaustion by taking a few proactive measures. Some of the simplest and most common measures include the following:
- If you use hearing aids, wear them as frequently as you can: One of the main functions of hearing aids is to clarify human speech, making understanding conversations much easier. This means your brain won’t need to work as hard and you will not experience the same degree of fatigue.
- Try to find more quiet, secluded areas for conversations: Distinguishing voices from background noise can be challenging when you have hearing loss (often whether you’re wearing hearing aids or not). It will be easier, and less exhausting, to understand conversations if you move them to a quieter spot.
- Consult a hearing specialist: It’s important to monitor your hearing health. When hearing loss is in its early stages, your brain doesn’t have to work as hard as it does when the condition worsens, and a hearing specialist can diagnose hearing loss when it first begins to develop.
- Take breaks from conversations: In between conversation, take a quiet break somewhere. This can help your brain recuperate from all the work it’s doing and make everyday communication a bit more sustainable.
It’s most likely time to make 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 concerned about the stigma.