Introduction
There are few things in life that frustrate you more than tossing and turning in bed when you just want to fall asleep.
But when you live with tinnitus, the medical term for tinnitus, the never-ending sound, and sleep can quickly become a major everyday problem. The following article will explain why tinnitus affects your sleep.
Can Tinnitus Cause Sleep Problems?
There is a lot of debate surrounding whether or not tinnitus can cause sleep disorders. Some people claim that it does, while others say that it doesn’t. However, there is some evidence to suggest that tinnitus can indeed cause sleep problems.
For example, a study published in the journal Sleep found that people with tinnitus are more likely to have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep than those without tinnitus.
Additionally, people with tinnitus are also more likely to report feeling tired during the day. If you’re struggling to sleep, it may be worth talking to your doctor about tinnitus and whether or not it could be a contributing factor.
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a condition that causes a ringing, buzzing or whistling sound in your ears. It can be temporary or long-lasting.
There are two separate aspects to some forms of chronic tinnitus, the first being the sound itself, and the second being the accompanying pain or anguish. (Source: National Library Of Medicine)
Actually, a recent sound-evoked fMRI study found that tinnitus patients had a larger amygdala activation in response to emotionally charged sounds.
Tinnitus patients had a smaller response magnitude within the amygdala for pleasant or unpleasant sound experiences compared to non-tinnitus patients.
Tinnitus is not a disease, but it is a symptom of an underlying condition, such as age-related hearing loss, an ear injury, or a problem with your circulatory system and your sleep.
There is no cure for tinnitus, but there are treatments that can help lessen the symptoms. If you have tinnitus, talk to your doctor about what treatments might be right for you to reduce sleep problems.
The most common symptom of tinnitus is an annoying ringing or buzzing in the ears even when there is no external noise. Tinnitus, however, can also lead to other forms of auditory hallucination, such as:
- Buzzing
- Roaring
- Clicking
- Hissing
- Humming
The vast majority of tinnitus sufferers experience subjective tinnitus, which only you can hear. Tinnitus sounds can range in volume from barely audible to deafening and can manifest in one or both ears.
Occasionally, the volume may be too high, making it difficult to think clearly or hear people or traffic outside. Tinnitus can be constant or it might be intermittent.
In extremely unusual circumstances, tinnitus can take the form of a pulsing or whooshing noise, frequently in time with the patient’s heartbeat.
Pulsatile tinnitus describes this condition. A doctor conducting an exam on a patient with pulsatile tinnitus may be able to hear the patient’s tinnitus.
5 Reasons Why Tinnitus Causes Sleep Problems
If you suffer from tinnitus and sleep, you may also have difficulty sleeping. Tinnitus is the perception of noise or ringing in the ears and can be caused by a variety of underlying conditions.
While there is no cure for tinnitus, there are treatments that can help alleviate the symptoms. Here are five reasons why tinnitus may cause sleep problems and tinnitus sleep :
Loud And Disruptive
This is making it difficult to fall asleep or concentrate. There are a few things you can do to help make the noise more bearable:
- Use a fan or white noise machine to help mask the sound
- Try to relax and focus on something else
- Wear earplugs or noise-canceling headphones.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can make the noise worse
- Exercise and get enough sleep to help reduce stress
- Talk to your doctor about other options, such as sound therapy or medication
Difficult To Stay Asleep
If you are suffering from tinnitus, it is important to seek out treatment that can help you manage the symptoms. With the right treatment, you can continue to live a normal life despite the ringing in your ears.
Anxiety Or Depression
Tinnitus can also interfere with a person’s ability to concentrate or focus on tasks, which can lead to sleep problems at work or school. In some cases, tinnitus can even cause a person to feel isolated and alone.
Stress
This makes it more difficult to relax and fall asleep. If you’re struggling to get a good night’s sleep because of tinnitus, there are a few things you can do to try and ease your symptoms.
More Serious Underlying Condition
If you are experiencing tinnitus, it is important to see a doctor to rule out any potential underlying causes.
If tinnitus is caused by an underlying condition, treating the condition may help to alleviate the tinnitus. There are also a number of things that can be done to help manage tinnitus.
If you suffer from tinnitus, talk to your doctor about treatment options. There are a variety of treatments available that can help lessen the symptoms and make it easier to sleep.
7 Ways To Stop Tinnitus
While there’s no cure for tinnitus, there are ways to manage the condition and minimize its effect on your life. Here are 7 tips to help you stop tinnitus:
1. Identify The Cause
In some cases, tinnitus is caused by an underlying condition that can be treated. If your tinnitus is the result of a circulatory problem, for example, your doctor may be able to treat the underlying condition with medication or surgery.
2. Get Rid Of Earwax Buildup
Earwax can sometimes cause or exacerbate tinnitus. If you have excess earwax, your doctor can remove it with a simple procedure called earwax suction.
3. Avoid Loud Noises
Exposure to loud noises is one of the most common causes of tinnitus. To protect your hearing and reduce your risk of tinnitus, avoid exposure to loud noises whenever possible.
4. Use Hearing Protection
If you can’t avoid loud noises, use hearing protection to reduce your exposure. Earplugs or earmuffs can help prevent tinnitus and sleep disorders by blocking out noise.
5. Manage Stress
Stress can aggravate tinnitus and sleep problems, so it’s important to find ways to manage your stress levels. Exercise, relaxation techniques, and counseling can all help reduce stress and improve your quality of life.
6. Try Sound Therapy
Sound therapy can help mask the sound of tinnitus and make it less bothersome. White noise machines, nature sounds, and music can all be used to provide relief from tinnitus.
7. Seek Professional Help
If tinnitus is significantly affecting your life, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. A hearing specialist can help you find ways to cope with tinnitus and improve your sleep quality.
Conclusion
You can get to a place where the sound no longer bothers you—where your brain just adjusts to it like all the other meaningless background sounds. And when this happens, sleep will gradually improve.
But for now, I hope you try these strategies! A good night’s sleep can really make life with tinnitus a lot less difficult and improve your mental health.
