Constant noise exposure causes fatigue and exhaustion
Germans complain about everyday exhaustion, but overlook their own hearing as a cause. Dr. Juliane Dettling-Papargyris, Director of the terzo Institute for Applied Hearing Research, explains in an interview why exhaustion can also stem from our ears, what role hearing stress plays, and how we can take care of our own hearing.
Noise and auditory stress can be tiring—for both people with normal hearing and those with hearing loss. A regular hearing test is therefore advisable at any age. Hearing therapy can help those with hearing loss—and thus reduce fatigue in everyday life. A recent survey* on the topic of auditory stress provides some interesting findings—we spoke with Dr. rer. nat. Juliane Dettling-Papargyris, director of the terzo Institute, about this.
Noise and constant ambient sounds tire our ears—and cause stress
Dr. Dettling-Papargyris, in a recent survey, terzo examined what causes fatigue in Germany and how hearing stress is related to it. Can you explain the key findings to us?
Our survey shows that half of Germans attribute fatigue in their daily lives simply to work-related stress. Nearly 10 percent cite stress during their free time, and about 20 percent cite loud or constant ambient noise as the cause. However, when looking at the specific factors, almost all of the aspects mentioned are related to hearing: Nearly 30 percent of all survey participants cite constant ambient noise as the reason for fatigue, slightly more than 17 percent cite noise, and nearly 12 percent cite a constantly ringing phone. This is often the real reason.
Noise and ambient sounds are thus triggers for fatigue. What role does hearing play in this?
Our hearingis constantly active—even when we sleep. Consequently, this can be quite exhausting, as the constant processing of auditory information places a heavy strain on our brain. When too much information bombards our ears, a limit is eventually reached. This results in auditory stress. This happens even faster when hearing function is impaired. Those affected then typically have a strong need for quiet. As our survey shows, more than 40 percent of all respondents have already felt exhausted at some point due to their ears being overwhelmed. And those are just the ones who are aware of it. In many cases, as outlined earlier, the actual cause goes unrecognized.
The impact of noise is underestimated, and the cause of auditory stress is often unrecognized
Do people underestimate the effects of noise and ambient sounds on their own hearing?
Yes, the results suggest so. Although nearly one-third of respondents cite excessive ambient noise as the reason their ears can no longer process sounds properly, And 70 percent believe that impaired hearing causes fatigue. However, they do not consider themselves personally affected and do not attribute their own exhaustion or fatigue to it. This is likely because hearing loss often sets in gradually.
You mention hearing stress. How does this manifest, and who is at risk?
Hearing stresscan affect anyone. It refers to the mental strain resulting from the ear’s inability to process sounds properly. The stress on our brain causes us to feel tired. Those affected feel exhausted and drained. Anyone who frequently experiences this feeling should be aware that it can be triggered not only by a heavy workload but also by impaired hearing. That’s why it makes perfect sense to get a hearing test regularly to rule out declining hearing as the cause of constant auditory stress.
Regular hearing tests help prevent this; hearing aids and auditory training provide support
Can a hearing aid help reduce auditory stress?
Yes, because reduced hearing ability causes auditory stress to set in more quickly. Hearing ability often declines gradually due to impaired sound processing. This is caused by the declining sensitivity of what are known as “hearing filters.” These filters enable both conscious and unconscious listening. When they are impaired, background noise seems much louder, and it becomes much harder to pick out what is actually important. As a result, those affected have to strain even more to, for example, concentrate on following a conversation. This can be counteracted with auditory therapy andproperly fitted hearing aids. In this process, the auditory filter function is deliberately trained before the hearing aids are adjusted.
Are people who wear hearing aids more aware of the issues of fatigue and noise?
Some are. Our survey found that 34 percent of hearing aid users are certain that hearing loss definitely causes fatigue. This compares to about 25 percent of respondents without hearing aids. Otherwise, the groups express similar views—which shows that hearing aids alone do not make the difference; rather, it is conscious, informed use that does; and that even hearing aid users still need more information.
Important: Take care of your hearing and enjoy your hearing for years to come
How do you protect yourself from excessive noise? How can each individual take better care of their hearing?
It is very important to take preventive measures to protect your hearing from noise. This means, for example, wearing hearing protection in certain situations. If hearing loss has already set in, swift action is needed before hearing continues to deteriorate. Otherwise, auditory processing will also suffer increasingly. In general, it’s recommended to have ahearing test regularly, regardless of age, to get a better sense of your hearing.
*The opinion research institute Civey surveyed 5,028 Germans on the topic of hearing stress on behalf of the terzo Institute from December 4 to 19, 2017.
A survey shows that many people have already realized how important it is to get a hearing test regularly—71 percent of German citizens surveyed have already had their hearing tested. How about you? When was your last hearing test? Find a hearing care professional or ENT doctor right in your area here on the platform—and don’t hesitate to take care of your hearing.
