As many people use video conferencing applications for work or education, new terms have been added to our vocabulary, such as “ Zoom fatigue.” This term refers to the mental exhaustion that occurs after video conferences . However, we can change the way we interact during video calls by taking certain steps, such as scheduling shorter meetings. According to research , the fatigue we feel after video conferences is largely due to what we hear. In other words, the voices transmitted over the internet in real time put a strain on our ears and therefore our hearing. This is why we feel exhausted after video conferences, even if we are not actively participating in them. However, “Zoom fatigue” is something that video conferencing app users can deal with. All they need to do is follow a few steps that will improve their video conferencing experience.
- Initially, they should avoid multitasking during a video call, while it is necessary to have breaks between calls and for the user to leave the screen , even for a short time. In addition, hiding the user's own image during the video call can help them concentrate and understand the speakers, since they will not be distracted by looking at themselves, but instead will focus on the speakers.
- Unnatural, unexpected, and distracting sounds affect our brains, forcing us to focus on them. In a video conference, the voice is distorted by the use of a microphone. The problem is that we don’t know how our voice actually sounds through a computer or a mobile phone. When we are in the same room as our audience, we hear our voice, so we can adjust it accordingly, which is not possible in online meetings. It is also very important for users to put themselves in the shoes of their listeners. They can record their voice and then listen to it recorded to understand how others really hear them. Something as simple as adjusting the position, distance, or direction of the microphone could make a difference. Switching from a laptop's built-in microphone to a headset microphone can cover up many environmental noises, such as keystrokes or echoes.
- Network delays can make things even more confusing when the video and audio of conversations are out of sync, which can affect or stop the flow of conversations altogether. Network problems can also affect the clarity of speech. As a result, our brains have to constantly be on alert to fill in any gaps, and we use up a lot of energy. So, users should mute their microphones after they have declared their presence in the conversation, and if they want to intervene in the conversation or ask questions at some point, they can do so via text chat. In addition, they should pay attention to the articulation of their speech so that others do not have difficulty understanding them. At the same time, they should make sure that someone else in the house is not using up all the bandwidth for Netflix or another platformwhile they are having a video conference.
- Conversations in a home environment cause background noise, as well as echoes and reverberations due to the acoustics of the room. Rooms in the home can cause reverberations, which can reduce people’s ability to understand what others are saying. Therefore, they should always keep the door to the room where they are having a video conference closed, so as not to hear noises that may be coming from other rooms in the house. They can also make the acoustic environment more “voice-friendly” by reducing echoes. For example, a bookcase in the room is a good acoustic barrier. Given that many people will be working from home for a long time, they should ensure that they significantly reduce “Zoom fatigue” in order to be more efficient in the demands of their work.
