Not getting enough sleep can have a damaging effect on your health and well being. 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.
Justifiably so. But there’s something that can help, luckily: a hearing aid. It’s possible that these small devices can help you get a sounder night sleep, according to recent surveys.
How Does Loss of Hearing Affect Sleep?
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 issues began 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 as it turns out. There is a well-documented connection between loss of hearing and insomnia, even if the precise sources aren’t completely clear. Some theories have been put forward:
- You can lose sleep because of tinnitus which can cause humming, ringing, or thumping noises in your ears. (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 hearing loss, your brain begins straining, it’s looking for inputs from your ears where there isn’t. If your brain is in overdrive attempting to hear while you’re trying to sleep, your overall cycle could be thrown off (It’s the typical issue of not being able to get your brain to shut off).
- Loss of hearing is linked 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.
Can Your Sleep be Helped by Wearing Hearing Aids?
According to one study, 59% of people who were hearing aid wearers reported feeling fulfilled 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 you don’t have loss of hearing, a hearing aid can’t cure insomnia.
But if you are suffering from hearing loss, your hearing aids can target several issues that might be worsening your insomnia:
- Strain: The damage on your brain will effectively reduced by using hearing aids. And your brain will be less likely to strain while sleeping if it isn’t struggling all of the rest of the time.
- Tinnitus: Hearing aids might be an effective treatment for that buzzing or ringing, depending on the nature of your tinnitus. This can help short circuit that vicious cycle and help you get some sleep.
- Isolation: If you’re out on the town, connecting with the people in your social group, you’re not as likely to feel isolated and depressed. Relationships are easier with hearing aids (sleep cycle issues that lead to “cabin fever” can also be reduced).
Using Hearing Aids to Achieve a Better Quality Sleep
It’s not just how many hours you sleep that’s important here. In order for your sleep to be actually rejuvenating, it’s important that you achieve a targeted degree to your z’s. Hearing aids can enhance your ability to achieve a restful nights sleep because hearing loss without hearing aids can prevent deep sleep.
It’s important to note that even though they’ll help better your sleep, most hearing aids are not meant to be used overnight. When you’re sleeping they won’t help you hear better (for instance, you won’t hear your alarm clock better). And your hearing aids can actually wear out faster if you wear them during the night. It’s using them during the day that helps you get deeper sleep.
Go to Bed!
Getting a restful night’s sleep is a valuable thing. Adequate sleep can keep your immune system in good condition, reduce stress levels, and help you think more clearly. Proper sleep habits have even been linked to lower risks for diabetes and heart disease.
When your loss of hearing begins to disrupt your sleep schedule, it’s not only a small irritation, insomnia can frequently become a real health issue. Fortunately, people document having better quality sleep with hearing aids.