Abstract

There currently exists a dearth of research in the area of fatigue and students with hearing loss. This article reviews mental and physical fatigue, and fatigue factors that may affect students who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH ). Three studies are also reviewed that focused specifically on experiences of fatigue for this population. Students across the studies confirmed feelings of fatigue due to the auditory and visual demands required to attend to and comprehend classroom instruction and conversation. Reviewing the studies, four themes were revealed through thematic analysis: (a) listening effort, (b) listening conditions, (c) survival mechanisms, and (d) not worth the effort. Recommendations for classroom teachers are offered, as well as educational implications for students who are D/HH. This article provides evidence of the need for further exploration of fatigue for students who are D/HH.