With all the extra time laughing with family and friends, eating tasty food and singing along to festive songs at Spare Time Vernon, there’s a lot to love about the holidays. Unfortunately, for the nearly 20% of the global population who have hearing loss, the holidays might also mean a heavy bout of listening fatigue.
What is Listening Fatigue?
Listening fatigue, also known as auditory fatigue, is the mental exhaustion you experience after a phase of intense communication. While anyone can experience listening fatigue, it’s most common among individuals with hearing loss. Because hearing loss muffles certain speech sounds, every conversation is like solving an intricate puzzle, leaving the listener feeling tired. You might notice listening fatigue after days with lots of work meetings, or weeks with a few holiday parties.
The holidays, with all their extra social events, can make the effects of listening fatigue feel more burdensome. You may notice you’re more irritable, less focused or eager to avoid conversation altogether. That’s your brain signaling that it’s tired from doing too much listening work.
How To Recover From Holiday Listening Overload
If the holidays have left your brain drained, try the following:
- Wear your hearing aids consistently. Wearing hearing aids regularly allows them to do the heavy lifting for you, improving access to speech and reducing the mental strain that leads to fatigue.
- Choose calmer listening environments. As your schedule normalizes, prioritize one-on-one conversations or quieter settings when possible. Starting the new year with manageable listening situations helps rebuild stamina without overwhelming your system.
- Schedule quiet time into your day. Quiet time is like a spa day for your brain. Take a peaceful walk or spend some time without the TV on in the coming weeks.
- Check in on your hearing needs. If holiday gatherings felt more exhausting than expected, your hearing loss treatment may need adjustment. Small changes to hearing aid settings or communication strategies can make a noticeable difference.
The new year is a time to focus on your well-being, and taking care of your tired brain is an essential part of whole-body wellness. To learn more about caring for your hearing health or to schedule a hearing aid adjustment, contact Sound Advice Audiology today.