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 loss of hearing started making you lose sleep.
And that’s understandable. But there’s a little something that can be of assistance, luckily: a hearing aid. According to the newest surveys and research, these small devices can most likely help you sleep better.
How is Sleep Impacted by Hearing Loss?
Despite the fact that you feel fatigued all day and are exhausted by bedtime, you still toss and turn and have a difficult time falling asleep. All of these issues began 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. There is a well-documented relationship between hearing loss and insomnia, even if the precise sources aren’t exactly clear. There are, of course, a couple of theories:
- Loss of hearing is connected to depression, and depression can cause chemical imbalances in the brain that disturb your sleep cycle. As a result of this, falling asleep and staying asleep becomes more difficult.
- You can be kept awake by tinnitus which can cause humming, ringing, or thumping sounds in your ears. (It can become a vicious cycle because loss of sleep can make your tinnitus symptoms worse).
- Your brain, when you have hearing loss, strains to get input that isn’t there. If your brain is in high gear trying to hear while you’re drifting off to sleep, your whole cycle could be disrupted (it’s that “my brain won’t shut off” problem).
Can Your Sleep be Helped by Wearing Hearing Aids?
According to one study, 59% of people who were hearing aid users described feeling satisfied with their sleep, compared to a 44% satisfaction rate in people who don’t wear hearing aids. So are hearing aids a sleep aid or what?
well, not really. 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 target numerous concerns that may be worsening your insomnia:
- Isolation: Your less likely to feel isolated and depressed if you can hook up with people in your social circle when you’re out on the town. Hearing aids make building relationships easier (sleep cycle problems that cause “cabin fever” can also be decreased).
- Strain: The strain on your brain will effectively lessened by wearing hearing aids. And when your brain isn’t always struggling to hear everything around you, it won’t be as likely to continue that practice when you’re trying to sleep.
- Tinnitus: Dependent on the nature and cause of your tinnitus, hearing aids might provide a practical way of treating that buzzing and ringing. This can help stop that vicious cycle and help you get to sleep.
Achieving a Better Quality Sleep With Hearing Aids
It’s not just how many hours you sleep that’s significant here. Depth of sleep is as essential as how many hours you sleep. Hearing loss can prevent that deep sleep, and hearing aids, therefore, can improve your ability to achieve restful sleep.
it should be pointed out that even though they’ll help better your sleep, the majority of hearing aids are not supposed to be used overnight. When you’re sleeping they won’t help you hear better (for instance, you won’t hear your alarm clock more clearly). And, after a while, wearing your hearing aids at night can decrease their efficiency. You get better 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, it’s not only a small irritation, insomnia can frequently cause serious health problems. Fortunately, people document having better quality sleep with hearing aids.