Sleep is precious. There’s an unpleasant feeling to getting up groggy because you slept less than seven to eight hours that even several cups of coffee can’t help. So you were aghast when your loss of hearing started to make you lose sleep.
And that’s justifiable. Fortunately, there’s a little something that can help: a hearing aid. It’s possible that these little devices can help you get a better night sleep, according to the latest surveys.
How is Sleep Affected by Hearing Loss?
Despite the fact that you feel fatigued all day and are completely drained by bedtime, you still toss and turn and have a difficult time falling asleep. All of these problems started about the same time you also started to notice that your radio, television, and mobile phone were becoming hard to hear.
It’s not your imagination as it turns out. There is a well-documented relationship between loss of hearing and insomnia, even if the precise sources aren’t completely clear. Some theories have been put forward:
- Hearing loss is related to depression, and depression can lead to chemical imbalances in the brain that disrupt your sleep cycle. Because of this, falling asleep and staying asleep becomes harder.
- As you develop hearing loss, your brain starts straining, it’s looking for stimulus from your ears where there isn’t. Your whole cycle could be disrupted if your brain is working overtime trying to hear (it’s that “my brain won’t shut off” issue).
- Tinnitus can make you hear ringing, thumping, and humming and that noise can cause you to lose sleep. (Lack of sleep can also cause your tinnitus to get worse, which can then cause stronger insomnia, it’s a vicious cycle).
Can Your Sleep be Improved by Using Hearing Aids?
According to one study, 59% of people who were hearing aid users reported feeling content 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?
Not really. If you don’t have hearing loss, a hearing aid can’t cure insomnia.
But if you are suffering from loss of hearing, your hearing aids can address numerous concerns that could be worsening your insomnia:
- Tinnitus: Dependent on the cause and nature of your tinnitus, hearing aids may provide an effective way of treating that buzzing and ringing. This can help short circuit that vicious cycle and help you get some sleep.
- Isolation: Your less likely to feel depressed and isolated if you can connect with people in your social network when you’re out and about. Relationships are easier with hearing aids (this can also decrease “cabin fever”-associated sleep cycle troubles).
- Strain: The strain on your brain will effectively diminished by wearing hearing aids. And when your brain isn’t always struggling to hear everything around you, it won’t be as likely to keep straining while you’re attempting to sleep.
Wearing Hearing Aids to Get a Better Night Sleep
In terms of sleep, how many hours is not the only consideration. Depth of sleep is as important as how many hours you sleep. Hearing aids can increase your ability to attain a restful nights sleep because hearing loss without hearing aids can reduce deep sleep.
it should be mentioned that even though they’ll help improve your sleep, most hearing aids are not intended to be worn at night. They don’t help you hear better when you’re in bed (for example, you won’t hear your alarm clock better). And, over time, using your hearing aids at night can diminish their effectiveness. It’s wearing them during the day that helps you get better sleep.
Go to Bed!
Sleep is precious. Ample sleep can keep your immune system in good condition, lessen stress levels, and help you think more clearly. A reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes have also been connected to healthy sleep habits.
When your sleep schedule is disturbed by your hearing loss, the problem becomes more than irritating, insomnia can frequently lead to serious health problems. Thankfully, most surveys document that people who use hearing aids have better quality of sleep.