Tired from Listening

A recent article, from the March, 2014 edition of the ASHA Leader,  highlighted the relationship between hearing loss and fatigue. The study demonstrate that children with hearing loss suffered from general sleep/rest fatigue as well as cognitive fatigue more so  than their hearing peers. The study aimed to identify the impact that the fatigue due to hearing loss has on the education of elementary aged students.

This study could also be useful in generalizing effects not only to those with a hearing loss, but, also to student who have difficult with hearing/auditory-related difficulties. Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) is the inability for the brain to process auditory information the way you and I do. CAPD, similar to hearing loss, is diagnosed by an Audiologist; however, often will go un-diagnosed in many children as these kids have normal hearing function. However, placed in a noisy or distracting environment, children with APD will seem to have attention issues, difficulty following directions, and recall challenges. Since hearing the differences in sounds is difficult, they may start to have problems in reading and spelling; similar to a learning disability.

So, if kids with a hearing loss are shown to fatigue more quickly than classmates with normal hearing, we might be able to assume,that children who have CAPD also will fatigue more easily. It's important that we keep a lookout for these kids in our schools, clinics, and homes.

More information of CAPD can be found at http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/ears/central_auditory.html

-S