Managing Concentration Fatigue for Deaf or Hard of Hearing Children

Have you ever felt exhausted after going out with friends or family? How about feeling fatigued after a meeting with colleagues, or due to frequently interacting with others as part of your job? 

Maybe you collapse in bed or on your couch. You don’t simply feel tired, you may feel physically, mentally and emotionally drained. Resting your ears and eyes is necessary to recharge. 

Communication and Energy Depletion

Being deaf or hard of hearing doesn’t simply affect your communication. It also drains the energy that you use throughout the day, in order to lipread while remaining focused on others and your environment. 

You’re required to process and piece together what you hear, like the game Wheel of Fortune. You hear someone say a phrase, and you need to figure out what they said based on the context, topic being discussed, their facial expressions, body language, etc. And then you need to respond to the person.  

This is not common knowledge. There is less attention on this subject matter when it comes to deaf and hard of hearing children/teens. Awareness for these individuals tends to focus on language acquisition and communication, not so much on concentration fatigue. 

Many deaf and hard of hearing children/adolescents haven’t been given the opportunity to discuss the effects of hearing loss on their lives or how to manage it. Taking regular breaks and being honest with adults if they feel tired, without worrying that they will be seen as being lazy.

When these deaf and hard of hearing children/teens become adults, it may still take time before they feel comfortable revealing that they need a break from work or are too tired to engage while hanging out with friends. Anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing can do anything, they just need to take a break and rest a little more often than others.     

To all parents and teachers, please be aware of this - especially during the school year.  

If you or a loved one are in need of hearing aids or listening devices, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.

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