Hearing Health Blog

Man with hearing loss sleeping better because he has hearing aids.

Sleep is critical. There’s an unpleasant feeling to waking 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 justifiable. Thankfully, there’s a little something that can be of assistance: a hearing aid. It’s feasible that these small devices can help you get a better night sleep, according to recent surveys.

How Does Loss of Hearing Impact Sleep?

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 mobile phone, radio, and television were becoming hard to hear.

It’s not your imagination as it turns out. It’s well documented that people who have loss of hearing frequently have a difficult time falling asleep, but precisely why is not really recognized. Some theories have been put forward:

  • Loss of hearing is related to depression, and your sleep cycle can be interrupted by chemical imbalances caused by depression. As a result 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. (Lack of sleep can also cause your tinnitus to get worse, which can then cause stronger insomnia, it’s a vicious cycle).
  • Your brain, when you have loss of hearing, strains to get input that isn’t there. If your brain is in overdrive attempting to hear while you’re trying to sleep, your whole cycle could be thrown off (It’s the typical problem of not being able to get the brain to stop).

Can Hearing Aids Improve Your Sleep?

According to one study, 59% of people who were hearing aid wearers described feeling satisfied 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?

well, not quite. If you don’t suffer from hearing loss, a hearing aid can’t cure insomnia.

But if you have hearing loss related insomnia, hearing aids could help in multiple important ways:

  • Strain: The damage on your brain will effectively decreased by wearing hearing aids. And your brain will be less likely to strain while falling asleep if it isn’t straining all of the rest of the time.
  • Isolation: Your not so likely to feel isolated and depressed if you can hook up with people in your social group when you’re out and about. Relationships are easier with hearing aids (this can also decrease “cabin fever”-associated sleep cycle issues).
  • Tinnitus: Hearing aids might be a practical treatment for that buzzing or ringing, depending on the nature of your tinnitus. This can assist you to get some sleep by stopping that vicious cycle.

Using Hearing Aids to Get a Better Quality Sleep

It’s not just how many hours you sleep that’s important here. To be sure that your sleep can be really refreshing, it’s important that you obtain a targeted level to your z’s. Hearing loss can work against that deep sleep, and hearing aids, therefore, can improve your ability to get restful sleep.

Using your hearing aids on the recommended daytime schedule will benefit your sleep but it’s significant to note that hearing aids are not ordinarily designed to be worn at night. When you’re sleeping they won’t help your hearing (you won’t be capable of hearing your alarm clock more clearly, for instance). And your hearing aids can actually wear out quicker if you wear them during the night. You get better sleep if you use them during the day.

Go to Bed!

Getting a good night’s sleep is a precious 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 heart disease and diabetes.

When your hearing loss begins to disrupt your sleep schedule, the problem becomes more than aggravating, insomnia can frequently cause serious health problems. Thankfully, people report having better quality sleep with hearing aids.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
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