Is there a link between hearing loss and fatigue?
Our hearing is a key component of our ability to converse and communicate. From conversations to listening to music, our ears are one of the principal ways that we gather information.
Early signs of hearing loss can be surprisingly varied: people often rely more on lipreading, increase the volume on the television, and may experience a ringing or whistling in the ears known as tinnitus.
But another side effect of hearing loss is a little more surprising: fatigue. Let’s take a look at why this happens.
Mental Strain
For those with perfect hearing, our brain and ears jointly filter out background noise. This, in turn, allows us to prioritise the conversation at hand. Hearing loss, however, can mean that it’s more of a struggle to filter out background noises in crowded places, meaning that a person can tire easily from having this extra work to do.
Stress
Experiencing signs that your hearing is declining can be upsetting. People may worry about the future, and may also try to hide it from others. All of this stress can lead to more fatigue. However, an experienced audiologist in Bristol can offer a wide range of support measures to put your mind at ease. A thorough hearing test offered by a specialist audiologist Bristol is a good place to start.
Social Situations
Being involved in a social situation while struggling with hearing loss can feel exhausting. The brain must work harder to keep up with conversation and filter out background noises.