Sleep is precious. There’s an unpleasant feeling to waking up groggy because you got less than seven to eight hours sleep that even several cups of coffee can’t help. So when your loss of hearing began causing insomnia, you were aghast.
And that’s justifiable. But there’s a little something that can help, luckily: a hearing aid. Based upon the latest surveys and research, these small devices can probably help you sleep better.
How Does Loss of Hearing Affect Sleep?
Recently, you’ve noticed yourself counting sheep more than usual, fighting fatigue all day regardless of how much sleep you get, and then having a hard time falling asleep at night (even though you’re exhausted). All of these problems started around the same time you also began to notice that your radio, television, and mobile phone were becoming hard to hear.
Come to find out, you’re not imagining it. There is a well-documented relationship between hearing loss and insomnia, even if the exact sources aren’t exactly clear. There are, naturally, a few theories:
- Your brain, when you have loss of hearing, strains to get input where there isn’t any. Your whole cycle could be thrown off if your brain is working overtime trying to hear (it’s that “my brain won’t shut off” problem).
- Hearing loss is connected to depression, and depression can cause chemical imbalances in the brain that disturb your sleep cycle. Because of this, falling asleep and staying asleep becomes more difficult.
- You can be kept awake by tinnitus which can cause humming, ringing, or thumping noises in your ears. (It can become a vicious cycle because loss of sleep can make your tinnitus symptoms worse).
Can Hearing Aids Help Your Sleep?
According to one study, 44% of individuals with loss of hearing who don’t use hearing aids documented being satisfied with their sleep in comparison to 59% sleep satisfaction from those who did use a hearing aid. So are hearing aids a sleep aid or what?
Not exactly. If you don’t suffer from loss of hearing, a hearing aid can’t cure insomnia.
But if you suffer from hearing loss related insomnia, hearing aids could help in several critical ways:
- Strain: The burden on your brain will effectively decreased by using hearing aids. And your brain won’t be as likely to strain while falling asleep if it isn’t straining all of the rest of the time.
- Isolation: Your less likely to feel isolated and depressed if you can hook up with people in your social group when you’re out and about. Hearing aids make retaining relationships less difficult (sleep cycle problems that lead to “cabin fever” can also be lessened).
- Tinnitus: Depending on the nature and cause of your tinnitus, hearing aids could provide a reliable way of managing that ringing and buzzing. This can help short circuit that vicious cycle and help you get some sleep.
Using Hearing Aids to Achieve a Better Night Sleep
It’s not just the number of hours that’s significant here. To be sure that your sleep can be really rejuvenating, you need to reach a targeted level to your z’s. Hearing aids can increase your ability to attain a restful nights sleep because loss of hearing without hearing aids can prevent deep sleep.
It’s relevant to note that while they’ll help benefit your sleep, most hearing aids are not supposed to be used at night. They aren’t going to help you hear better when you’re sleeping (for example, you won’t hear your alarm clock better). And your hearing aids can actually wear out quicker if you use them at night. You get deeper sleep if you wear them during the day.
Go to Bed!
Sleep is precious. Adequate sleep can keep your immune system in fighting shape, reduce stress levels, and help you think more clearly. A reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes have also been connected to balanced sleep habits.
When your sleep schedule is disrupted by your loss of hearing, the problem becomes more than irritating, insomnia can frequently result in serious health problems. Thankfully, people report having better quality sleep when they use hearing aids.
