Sleep is valuable. There’s a disagreeable feeling to waking up groggy because you slept less than seven to eight hours that even several cups of coffee can’t change. So you were aghast when your hearing loss started to cause you to lose sleep.
And that’s justifiable. But there’s a little something that can help, fortunately: a hearing aid. It’s feasible that these little devices can help you get a sounder night sleep, according to recent surveys.
How is Sleep Impacted by Hearing Loss?
Recently, you’ve noticed yourself tossing and turning more than usual, fighting fatigue all day regardless of how much sleep you get, and then having a difficult time falling asleep at night (despite your exhaustion). All of these issues started around the same time you also started to notice that your mobile phone, radio, and television were becoming hard to hear.
It’s not your imagination come to find. It’s well documented that individuals who have hearing loss often have a difficult time falling asleep, but precisely why is not really recognized. There are, naturally, a few theories:
- Tinnitus can cause you to hear thumping, humming, and ringing and that noise can keep you awake at night. (Lack of sleep can also cause your tinnitus to get 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 trying to hear while you’re trying to sleep, your entire cycle could be thrown off (It’s the typical problem of not being able to get your brain to stop).
- Loss of hearing is linked to depression, and depression can cause chemical imbalances in the brain that disrupt your sleep cycle. This makes it more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Can Your Sleep be Helped by Using Hearing Aids?
According to one study, 44% of individuals with loss of hearing who don’t wear hearing aids reported being satisfied with their sleep in comparison to 59% sleep satisfaction among those who did use a hearing aid. So does that imply it’s safe to presume hearing aids are also a type of sleep aid?
well, not really. If your hearing is perfectly healthy, using hearing aids won’t cure your insomnia.
But if you are suffering from loss of hearing, your hearing aids can manage numerous issues that may be worsening your insomnia:
- Strain: Your hearing aids will essentially diminish the burden on your brain. And when your brain isn’t continuously struggling to hear everything around you, it’ll be less likely to keep straining when you’re attempting to sleep.
- Isolation: If you’re out and about, hooking up with the people in your social sphere, you’re not so likely to feel isolated and depressed. Relationships become less difficult when you use hearing aids (sleep cycle issues that result in “cabin fever” can also be decreased).
- Tinnitus: Dependent on the nature and cause of your tinnitus, hearing aids could provide a reliable way of treating that buzzing and ringing. This can assist you to get some sleep by stopping that vicious cycle.
Getting Better Quality Sleep With Hearing Aids
When it comes to sleep, the number of hours isn’t the only thing to consider. To be sure that your sleep can be actually refreshing, it’s important that you obtain a targeted degree to your z’s. Hearing loss can reduce that deep sleep, and hearing aids, as a result, can increase your ability to achieve restful sleep.
Using your hearing aids on the suggested daytime schedule will benefit your sleep but it’s significant to mention that hearing aids aren’t generally intended to be worn while you sleep. They don’t help you hear better when you’re sleeping (you won’t be able to hear your alarm clock better, for example). And, as time passes, using your hearing aids at night can reduce their performance. You get deeper sleep if you use them during the day.
Go to Bed!
Getting a restful night’s sleep is a valuable thing. Adequate sleep can keep your immune system in fighting shape, reduce stress levels, and help you think more clearly. A decreased risk of diabetes and heart disease have also been connected to healthy sleep habits.
When your hearing loss begins to disrupt your sleep schedule, it’s not just a small irritation, insomnia can often result in serious health concerns. Fortunately, people document having better quality sleep with hearing aids.