Sleep is valuable. There’s a disagreeable feeling to getting up groggy because you got less than seven to eight hours sleep that even several cups of coffee can’t help. So when your hearing loss began causing you to have insomnia, you were aghast.
Justifiably so. But there’s a little something that can help, fortunately: a hearing aid. Based upon the most recent surveys and research, these small devices can probably help you sleep sounder.
How Does Hearing Loss Affect Sleep?
Recently, you’ve noticed yourself tossing and turning more than usual, fighting fatigue all day no matter 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 started to notice that your radio, television, and mobile phone were becoming difficult to hear.
It’s not your imagination as it turns out. It’s well documented that individuals who have hearing loss frequently have a difficult time falling asleep, but exactly why is not well recognized. Some theories have been put forward:
- You can lose sleep because of tinnitus which can cause ringing, thumping, or humming noises in your ears. (It can become a vicious cycle because lack of sleep can worsen your tinnitus symptoms).
- Hearing loss is related to depression, and your sleep cycle can be interrupted by chemical imbalances caused by depression. This makes it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.
- Your brain, when you have hearing loss, strains to get stimulus that isn’t there. Your entire cycle could be thrown off if your brain is working overtime attempting to hear (It’s the typical problem of not being able to get your brain to turn off).
Can Your Sleep be Helped by Wearing Hearing Aids?
According to one study, 44% of people with loss of hearing who don’t wear hearing aids documented being satisfied with their sleep compared to 59% sleep satisfaction among those who did wear a hearing aid. So does that mean it’s safe to suppose hearing assistance devices are also a kind of sleep aid?
well, not really. If your hearing is completely normal, using hearing aids isn’t going to cure your insomnia.
But if you have hearing loss related insomnia, hearing aids could help in multiple important ways:
- Isolation: Your not so likely to feel depressed and isolated if you can connect with people in your social group when you’re out on the town. Hearing aids make building relationships smoother (this can also diminish “cabin fever”-associated sleep cycle issues).
- Tinnitus: Depending on the nature and cause of your tinnitus, hearing aids might provide a practical method of managing that buzzing and ringing. This can help short circuit that vicious cycle and help you get some sleep.
- Strain: Your hearing aids will effectively lessen the demand on your brain. And when your brain isn’t always struggling to hear everything around you, it’ll be less likely to continue that practice while you’re trying to sleep.
Using Hearing Aids to Get a Better Night Sleep
It isn’t just the number of hours that’s important here. To be sure that your sleep can be actually refreshing, it’s important that you obtain a targeted level to your z’s. Loss of hearing can reduce that deep sleep, and hearing aids, as a result, can increase your ability to achieve restful sleep.
It’s relevant to note that while they’ll help improve your sleep, most hearing aids are not supposed to be worn overnight. They don’t help you hear better when you’re in bed (you won’t be able to hear your alarm clock more clearly, for example). And, as time passes, wearing your hearing aids at night can diminish their performance. It’s using them during the day that helps you achieve deeper sleep.
Go to Bed!
Sleep is precious. Your stress level, your immune system, and your ability to think clearly will all be enhanced by sufficient sleep. A reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes have also been connected to balanced sleep habits.
When your sleep schedule is disturbed by your hearing loss, the problem becomes more than aggravating, insomnia can often lead to serious health concerns. Fortunately, people report having better quality sleep with hearing aids.
