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 change. So when your hearing loss began causing you to have insomnia, you were aghast.
And that’s justifiable. But there’s something that can help, fortunately: a hearing aid. Based upon the latest surveys and research, these small devices can most likely help you sleep sounder.
How Does Hearing Loss Affect Sleep?
Despite the fact that you feel tired all day and are completely drained by bedtime, you still toss and turn and have a hard time falling asleep. All of these problems started about the same time you also started to notice that your mobile phone, radio, and television were becoming difficult to hear.
It’s not your imagination as it turns out. There is a well-documented link between hearing loss and insomnia, even if the exact sources aren’t completely clear. Some theories have been put forward:
- As you develop hearing loss, your brain starts straining, it’s searching for stimulus from your ears where there isn’t. Your entire cycle could be disrupted if your brain is working overtime attempting to hear (It’s the common problem of not being able to get your brain to shut off).
- Loss of hearing is linked to depression, and your sleep cycle can be disrupted by chemical imbalances as a result of depression. Because of this, falling asleep and staying asleep becomes more difficult.
- You can lose sleep because of tinnitus which can cause humming, ringing, or thumping noises in your ears. (It can become a vicious cycle because loss of sleep can make your tinnitus symptoms worse).
Can Hearing Aids Help Your Sleep?
According to one study, 44% of individuals with loss of hearing who don’t use hearing aids documented being satisfied with their sleep in comparison to 59% sleep satisfaction among those who did wear a hearing aid. So are hearing aids a sleep aid or what?
well, not quite. If your hearing is completely healthy, wearing hearing aids won’t cure your insomnia.
But if you are suffering from hearing loss, your hearing aids can target a number of concerns that could be contributing to your insomnia:
- Strain: The strain on your brain will essentially diminished by wearing hearing aids. And your brain won’t be as likely to strain while sleeping if it isn’t straining all of the rest of the time.
- Isolation: If you’re out and about, connecting with the people in your social sphere, you’re not as likely to feel depressed and isolated. Hearing aids make retaining relationships less difficult (sleep cycle problems that cause “cabin fever” can also be reduced).
- Tinnitus: Depending on the cause and nature of your tinnitus, hearing aids might provide a reliable way of treating that ringing and buzzing. This can help stop that vicious cycle and help you get to sleep.
Using Hearing Aids to Achieve a Better Night Sleep
When it comes to sleep, the number of hours isn’t the only factor to consider. Depth of sleep is as important as how many hours you sleep. Hearing aids can improve your ability to achieve a restful nights sleep because loss of hearing without hearing aids can reduce deep sleep.
Using your hearing aids on the recommended daytime schedule will benefit your sleep but it’s worthwhile to mention that hearing aids aren’t typically meant to be worn while you sleep. They don’t help you hear better when you’re sleeping (for instance, you won’t hear your alarm clock better). And your hearing aids can definitely wear out quicker if you wear them at night. 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. Proper sleep habits have even been connected to reduced risks for heart disease and diabetes.
When your sleep schedule is disturbed by your loss of hearing, it’s not just a small irritation, insomnia can frequently become a serious health issue. Luckily, most surveys document that people with hearing aids have improved quality of sleep.