Not getting enough sleep can have a harmful impact on your health and vitality. 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 hearing loss started to cause you to lose sleep.
And that’s understandable. But there’s something that can help, fortunately: a hearing aid. Based on the most recent surveys and research, these tiny devices can most likely help you sleep sounder.
How is Sleep Impacted by Loss of Hearing?
In recent days, you’ve noticed yourself tossing and turning more than usual, battling fatigue all day no matter how much sleep you get, and then having a hard time falling asleep at night (despite your exhaustion). All of these problems began about the same time you also began to notice that your radio, television, and mobile phone were becoming hard to hear.
Turns out, you’re not imagining it. There is a well-documented connection between hearing loss and insomnia, even if the exact sources aren’t completely clear. Some theories have been put forward:
- Tinnitus can make you hear ringing, thumping, and humming and that noise can cause you to lose sleep. (It can become a vicious cycle because lack of sleep can make your tinnitus symptoms worse).
- Your brain, when you have loss of hearing, 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).
- Hearing loss is linked to depression, and your sleep cycle can be disturbed by chemical imbalances as a result of depression. Because of this, falling asleep and staying asleep becomes more difficult.
Can Hearing Aids Help Your Sleep?
According to one study, 44% of people with loss of hearing who don’t use hearing aids documented being satisfied with their sleep in comparison to 59% sleep satisfaction from those who did wear a hearing aid. So does that mean it’s safe to assume hearing assistance devices are also a kind of sleep aid?
well, not really. If you don’t suffer from hearing loss, a hearing aid can’t cure insomnia.
But if you suffer from hearing loss related insomnia, hearing aids might help in several crucial ways:
- Isolation: If you’re out and about, interacting with the people in your social sphere, you’re less likely to feel isolated and depressed. Hearing aids make building relationships smoother (this can also decrease “cabin fever”-related sleep cycle issues).
- Strain: Your hearing aids will essentially lessen the demand on your brain. And when your brain isn’t constantly struggling to hear everything around you, it won’t be as likely to continue that practice when you’re trying to sleep.
- Tinnitus: Hearing aids could be an effective treatment for that ringing or buzzing, depending on the nature of your tinnitus. This can help short circuit that vicious cycle and help you get some sleep.
Using Hearing Aids to Get a Better Quality Sleep
When it comes to sleep, the amount of hours is not the only consideration. Depth of sleep is as essential as how many hours you sleep. Hearing aids can increase your ability to achieve a restful nights sleep because hearing loss without hearing aids can prevent deep sleep.
Using your hearing aids on the suggested daytime schedule will benefit your sleep but it’s significant to mention that hearing aids are not normally designed to be worn at night. When you’re sleeping they aren’t going to help you hear better (for example, you won’t hear your alarm clock more clearly). And your hearing aids can actually wear out quicker if you use them during the night. You get deeper sleep if you wear them during the day.
Go to Bed!
Getting a restful night’s sleep is a valuable thing. Ample sleep can keep your immune system in good condition, reduce stress levels, and help you think more clearly. Balanced sleep habits have even been linked to lower risks for diabetes and heart disease.
When your loss of hearing begins to affect your sleep schedule, it’s not just a small irritation, insomnia can often lead to serious health problems. Luckily, most surveys document that people with hearing aids have improved quality of sleep.