3 Ways Hearing Is Affected by Insomnia

Body and mind require sleep to feel rested and recharged. Without a good night’s rest we can expect to feel spacy, exhausted, and sluggish. Insomnia can cause these symptoms every day, along with a higher risk of side effects, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, stroke, and depression. Be aware that insomnia can lead to hearing loss and increased tinnitus.

Cardiovascular health risk
The cardiovascular system depends on getting enough sleep because sleep deprivation leads to hearing loss. Not getting enough sleep will cause insufficient blood circulation in your body, affecting your ears. Hearing loss comes about when a weak blood flow causes the tiny hair cells in your ear to function improperly. The hair cells detect sound and signal the brain. Damage to these fragile cells will permanently damage your hearing.

Sleep apnea and hearing loss
Besides poor cardiovascular health, sleep apnea can also affect hearing. Roughly 43 percent of the population experience this problem. Trouble breathing and frequent bouts of waking up are  the symptoms of sleep apnea. Large amounts of plaque in your blood vessels correlate with having sleep apnea. It may lead to hearing loss, due to the constriction of blood.

Effects on people suffering from tinnitus
Insomnia hurts your hearing, but it also worsens tinnitus, which is the humming, whistling, buzzing, and phantom ringing you may hear in your ears. According to one study, tolerance of tinnitus may decrease, taking an emotional toll. Difficulty sleeping can arise by focusing on tinnitus and lack of sleep can worsen tinnitus. It is a frustrating circular pattern. Seeking treatment for insomnia is imperative to prevent further damage. Talk to your doctor about this serious problem and its effects, so you can find ways to get a better night’s sleep. If you already have hearing loss or tinnitus, contact a hearing care specialist at Pure Sound Hearing Aids to address your needs.