Listening work

People with a hearing loss use a great amount of energy and effort on listening and understanding what is being said. They are “at work listening” whenever they participate in conversations and meetings or are at lectures, theatre performances or similar events.

Why is listening work necessary?

Hearing impairment reduces the ability to hear speech. The volume of the hearing ability is, figuratively speaking, turned down as when you turn down the volume of a radio.

Discrimination loss

A hearing loss is sometimes accompanied by a discrimination loss, which makes it even more difficult to understand speech. For people with a discrimination loss, sounds are not in focus – like the sound of a radio set between two stations - and it does not help to turn up the volume.

Listening work requires extra energy

When people with a hearing loss are involved in communication, they are constantly at work listening.

This requires energy because they have to concentrate more to make out the words. People with a hearing loss therefore need frequent rests and an extra long rest after work.

What can you do to get more energy?

Inform others of your hearing needs.

Take frequent breaks from the listening work and remember to let the people around you know that you need a little quiet, so that they understand why you suddenly seem withdrawn.

Take a long rest when you come home from work. If you have small children, you should ask your partner to look after them while you rest. If you are alone, and the children need not be looked after – for example while watching a video - you can cut out a picture from a magazine with a sleeping person and hang the picture on the door to the room where you are resting. Children often understand illustrations better than long verbal instructions.

Spoil yourself or let yourself be spoiled with, for example, a session with a good masseur who can soothe the aching muscles in your neck.

Make time for regular relaxation. Try, for example, our step-by-step relaxation exercise.