Getting a bad night’s rest can impact every part of your day. You might be a little more irritable, require a couple of extra shots in your Smartworld Coffee latte or even have trouble communicating with others. If you’re among the 15% of U.S. adults who live with hearing loss, that last side effect might hit a little closer to home.
The Link Between Exhaustion and Difficulty Hearing
When you have hearing loss, your brain requires a bit more mental effort to process speech. If you had a poor night’s rest, that extra mental energy might not be available, which can cause communication challenges.
Your hearing loss itself isn’t actually more advanced because you’re tired. Though it might feel like your ears can’t hear, it’s likely that the issue lies more in your ability to process the information your ears receive.
On days when you’re a little extra tired, remember to wear your hearing aids and practice effective communication techniques, including:
- Look at the speaker
- Ask for repetition or rephrasing when you don’t catch something
- Ask for context when you don’t understand the overall conversation
- Ask questions to double-check the information you heard
- Avoid getting distracted by other people or things in the room
- Minimize background noise when possible
Tips for a Better Night’s Rest
If you’ve been having trouble sleeping lately, try the following tips for a better night’s rest and a smoother communication day:
- Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on the weekends
- Put your phone away for at least an hour before bed every night
- Try meditation, deep breathing or a wind-down yoga routine to destress before bed
- Journal at the end of the day to relieve stress or anxiety
- Avoid caffeine after noon
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Wear earplugs if you have a partner who snores
- Read something calming for twenty or more minutes before bed
- Wear a sleep mask or get blackout curtains if light bothers you
If you get the sleep you need, but you’re still having trouble understanding speech, it’s possible that your hearing aids need a tune-up. Contact Speech & Hearing Associates today to schedule a repair & service appointment with one of our specialists.