Sleep is critical. 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 change. So you were aghast when your hearing loss started to make you lose sleep.
Justifiably so. Fortunately, there’s a little something that can help: a hearing aid. According to the most recent surveys and research, these tiny devices can probably help you sleep sounder.
How is Sleep Impacted by Hearing Loss?
Despite the fact that you feel tired all day and are exhausted by bedtime, you still toss and turn and have a hard time falling asleep. 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.
Turns out, you’re not imagining things. There is a well-documented connection between hearing loss and insomnia, even if the precise sources aren’t precisely clear. Some theories have been put forward:
- Loss of hearing is linked to depression, and your sleep cycle can be disturbed by chemical imbalances caused by depression. Because of this, falling asleep and staying asleep becomes harder.
- Tinnitus can cause you to hear ringing, thumping, and humming and that noise can keep you awake at night. (Lack of sleep can also make your tinnitus worse, which then can cause stronger insomnia, it’s a vicious cycle).
- As you develop loss of hearing, your brain begins straining, it’s searching for stimulus from your ears where none exists. If your brain is in overdrive attempting to hear while you’re drifting off to sleep, your entire cycle could be thrown off (it’s that “my brain won’t shut off” problem).
Can Your Sleep be Improved by Using Hearing Aids?
According to one study, 59% of people who were hearing aid wearers described feeling fulfilled with their sleep, in comparison to a 44% satisfaction rate in people who don’t use hearing aids. So are hearing aids a sleep aid or what?
well, not quite. If your hearing is perfectly normal, wearing hearing aids won’t cure your insomnia.
But if you are suffering from loss of hearing, your hearing aids can manage several problems that could be contributing to your insomnia:
- Isolation: If you’re out and about, hooking up with the people in your social group, you’re less likely to feel depressed and isolated. Relationships become less difficult with hearing aids (sleep cycle problems that result in “cabin fever” can also be decreased).
- Strain: Your hearing aids will essentially diminish the burden on your brain. And when your brain isn’t always straining to hear everything around you, it won’t be as likely to continue that practice while you’re trying to sleep.
- Tinnitus: Hearing aids could be a practical treatment for that ringing or buzzing, depending on the nature of your tinnitus. This can help short circuit that vicious cycle and help you get some sleep.
Achieving a Better Quality Sleep Using Hearing Aids
It isn’t just how many hours you sleep that’s significant here. To be sure that your sleep can be truly rejuvenating, you need to obtain a certain degree to your z’s. Hearing aids can enhance your ability to get a restful nights sleep because loss of hearing without hearing aids can prevent deep sleep.
it should be mentioned that even though they’ll help improve your sleep, most hearing aids are not meant to be worn at night. 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 instance). And, over time, wearing your hearing aids at night can reduce their efficiency. It’s wearing them during the day that helps you get deeper sleep.
Go to Bed!
Sleep is precious. Ample sleep can keep your immune system in fighting shape, lessen stress levels, and help you think more clearly. Proper sleep habits have even been linked to reduced risks for diabetes and heart disease.
When your sleep schedule is disturbed by your hearing loss, it’s not only a small irritation, insomnia can frequently lead to serious health concerns. Fortunately, most surveys document that people with hearing aids have improved quality of sleep.