Fatigue Is an Understudied Consequence of Hearing Loss

A review published in Ear and Hearing looked into hearing loss-related fatigue, which is an understudied subject, reports Massive Science . The researchers found overwhelming evidence that hearing loss indeed leads to greater fatigue, and indications that hearing devices like a hearing aid or cochlear implant may relieve some of this fatigue. However, more research is necessary. Current studies are limited in that what scientists know about this topic is based on subjective measures like questionnaires, and that each person might experience or describe fatigue differently. Future investigations could incorporate more objective measures, like behavioral or physiological measures, to yield stronger evidence about the relationship between hearing loss and fatigue. Still, the current review is seen as valuable for addressing the needs of people with hearing loss and for encouraging continued research on this topic.