LWB Newsletter 8th August 2024
I’ve talked before about listening fatigue, and feelings that come up with the strain of listening for long periods of time or in noisy environments. New research suggests that mental exertion is often linked to unpleasant feelings such as stress and irritation. Challenging the idea that people enjoy mentally demanding tasks. A meta-analysis of 170 studies, involving 4,670 participants from diverse backgrounds, found a consistent connection between mental effort and discomfort across various tasks and populations.
Despite the discomfort, people still engage in challenging tasks, suggesting that the motivation lies in the rewards rather than the effort itself. The study highlights that while people may choose mentally demanding activities, it doesn't mean they enjoy the effort involved; they likely endure it for the potential benefits.
All the more reason to give yourself a break when you feel tired after a long listening day.
I remember being laughed at the first time I told someone about the strange noises I was hearing. I must have been around 10 or 12, I didn’t know what tinnitus was and neither did anyone around me. I thought perhaps I was going mad and didn’t mention it again.
It wasn’t until years later when I read an article in the local newspaper about tinnitus that the penny dropped. As annoying as the sounds were, I was relieved to have an explanation.
Tinnitus in children and adolescents is under-researched, however this article in Ear and Hearing suggests that more research is needed.
The impact on daily life appears less severe than in adults, and it is unclear if affected children experience psychological distress similar to adults. However the effects rise with age.
A study involving 4,964 children and 2,506 adolescents in the Netherlands found that 3.3% of children and 12.8% of adolescents reported tinnitus suffering, with a small percentage suffering severely (0.3% of children and 1.9% of adolescents). In adolescents, tinnitus was associated with both externalizing and internalizing behavioral problems, while in children, it was linked to internalizing issues such as stomach trouble and abdominal pain.
Hopefully this area will attract more research.
I’ve tried many things to help with my tinnitus and found mindfulness helpful. This article explores how it works.
Does Mindfulness Really Help With Tinnitus?
What Is Tinnitus?
Often described as a ringing or buzzing noise, it can also sound like a lawnmower under your pillow when you're trying to sleep at night.
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Not knowing about tinnitus and hearing loss wasn’t my parents fault. There still is so little information out there that many parents feel stuck. This article gives some resources and advice about what to do next.
Finding out that your child has hearing problems can cause a range of difficult emotions, shock, grief, denial, guilt, worry. Concern about your child’s education and their future.
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Talk soon,
Sue.
Founder of Live Work Breathe