By Jenn Schumacher, AuD
Manager, Medical Communications for GN Hearing
Shorter, dark days can leave many of us feeling sluggish and less focused. But for people with hearing loss, this seasonal fatigue can make the already demanding task of listening significantly harder.
Fatigue can leave many of us feeling sluggish and less focused, and for people with hearing loss, feeling tired can make the already demanding task of listening significantly harder.
According to a study by the NHANES, individuals with hearing loss are nearly twice as likely to feel fatigued on a near-daily basis compared to those without, a clear indicator of the mental effort required for active listening.
“It takes a lot of cognitive resources to process sound, and a lack of energy and focus can make this feel even more difficult. It’s especially challenging for people with hearing loss, who rely heavily on visual cues like facial expressions, lip movements, and gestures to fill in what their ears might miss” says Dr Jenn Schumacher, Audiologist at ReSound.
To help ease communication woes, Dr Jenn shares essential tips for reducing listening fatigue, especially during the colder months.
Minimizing listening strain when the lights go down
We often underestimate how important lighting is for lip-reading. For people with hearing loss, clear visibility isn’t just helpful, it’s necessary. So much of general communication comes from subtle visual cues, the shape of the mouth, facial expressions, or even small movements that hint at tone or emphasis.
When the lighting is poor, these cues become much harder to spot, and the brain has to work significantly harder to fill in these gaps. Over time, this can lead to fatigue, frustration, and a feeling of disconnect from the conversation, especially in group settings where it’s already hard to keep up.
Make sure the space you’re in is well-lit, and position yourself so the light shines on the speaker’s face. Good lighting makes facial cues and lip-reading much easier, especially in winter when natural light is limited.
While we rely on this technique year-round, facing the person who you are talking to becomes even more important in low-light conditions. Facing said person allows you to capture their entire face and body language, maximizing the visual input your brain uses.
When you’re tired, your brain struggles more to filter out competing sounds. Choose quiet spaces for important conversations, or ask if you can turn down the TV or music in the room. This helps conserve the mental energy needed for speech processing.
Staying engaged and alert amidst the chaos
When using hearing aids, make sure they’re properly maintained and charged. Modern hearing aids are designed to support clearer communication in challenging environments, helping users better follow conversations and engage more comfortably.
A simple but impactful addition to your routine is taking regular, micro-breaks. Listening, especially in noise, is demanding mental work, so if you notice your focus dropping regularly, step away for a minute or two to reset. Even a brief break can restore your alertness and help prevent burnout.
While daylight is reduced, use visual signals for communication. For example, if a phone calls or doorbell rings, use devices that incorporate visual alerts, like flashing lights, alongside sound. Relying less on pure auditory input for warnings and signals can help conserve mental energy.
Addressing hearing challenges proactively is the best way to navigate the winter months with fewer challenges and more energy.
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