It’s estimated that between 10 and 15% of the adult population suffer from tinnitus. 16 million people seek help for it annually. The more severe the tinnitus the more sleep is disrupted. There are no documented cures tinnitus but there are various treatments that can help.
Most treatments involve masking the sound or behavioral therapy such as tinnitus retraining. This article will discuss what tinnitus is, how it affects sleep, was causes it, and how to manage tinnitus for better sleep.
Table of Contents
How does tinnitus affect sleep?
Tinnitus is the conscious perception of a sound with no external source. It can sound like ringing, buzzing, humming or other sounds.
Symptoms can be severe enough to significantly affect quality of life, including disrupted sleep.
The noise level in your head can be even more distracting at night because silence can make it more noticeable.
This in turn making it very difficult to “turn off” and go to sleep. Losing sleep can increase problems with tinnitus.
I suffer from it myself and sometimes describe mine as resembling night crickets and katydids in the forest or cicadas in the daytime. It can be different for each person.
Tinnitus is often associated with changes in how the auditory system and brain process sound. It can have several underlying causes, including hearing loss. In most cases, the sounds are heard only by the person experiencing tinnitus.
Is there a connection between sleep disorders and tinnitus ?
Sleep disorders and tinnitus can each aggravate the conditions caused by the other. Among them are:
- Insomnia – the main complaint, occurring in up to 50%, studies show decreased tolerance and increased discomfort from tinnitus when insomnia and depression are related to it
- Bruxism – grinding your teeth puts pressure on your auditory system
- Sleep apnea – low oxygen levels experienced sometimes during sleep apnea can effect tinnitus
What causes tinnitus ?
Tinnitus, often characterized by ringing or buzzing in the ears, can arise from various conditions and circumstances. Here’s a breakdown:
- Noise-induced hearing loss: Exposure to loud sounds.
- Stress or trauma: Psychological stress or traumatic experiences.
- Cardiovascular issues: Diseases affecting heart or blood vessels.
- Ménière’s disease: Inner ear disorder causing severe dizziness.
- Certain tumors: In the auditory system or nearby areas.
- Excess earwax: Build-up obstructing the ear canal.
- Certain medications: Over 200 drugs known to trigger tinnitus.
- Ear and sinus infections: Inflammation impacting auditory function.
- Cochlear hair cell degeneration: Hair cell loss crucial for hearing.
- Ear abnormalities: Structural issues like abnormal bone growth.
How do I sleep better with tinnitus at night?
Sound therapies based partly by the idea that tinnitus is brought on by hearing loss can work by masking the noise in your head, distracting you or making it less noticeable.
- Sound therapy may help make tinnitus less noticeable and easier to manage, especially at bedtime. Try tabletop sound machines or smartphone apps that play soothing sounds such as waves, rain, or gentle background noise.
- Consider hearing aids: They amplify external noises, making tinnitus less noticeable.
- Try wearable sound generators: Portable devices emit soft sounds to provide continuous relief.
- Opt for combination devices: These fit in the ear and provide both sound amplification and generation.
- Explore behavioral therapy: Counseling can reduce the impact of tinnitus on your life by teaching coping techniques and changing negative thought patterns.
- Consider medications: While there are no specific drugs for tinnitus, antidepressants or anti-anxiety meds may help improve mood or sleep.
- Address underlying causes: For tinnitus caused by bruxism, restoring proper jaw functionality can be effective.
How to calm tinnitus at night
- Use fans, humidifiers, or air conditioners in the bedroom for white noise.
- Consider masking devices: Worn in the ear, they produce continuous low-level white noise to suppress tinnitus
What is the new tinnitus treatment ?
One treatment option for tinnitus is Lenire, a prescription device that received FDA authorization in March 2023. It combines sound delivered through headphones with gentle electrical stimulation of the tongue. This approach, called bimodal neuromodulation, is intended to help reduce tinnitus symptoms.
Lenire is not a cure for tinnitus, and results vary between individuals. It is intended for adults with at least moderate tinnitus and requires evaluation and a prescription from a qualified healthcare professional.
When should I talk to my doctor about tinnitus?
If you develop persistent or bothersome ringing in your ears, talk to your healthcare provider rather than waiting several months. Sudden hearing loss, especially with new tinnitus, requires urgent medical evaluation. Tinnitus that pulses with your heartbeat or occurs in only one ear also warrants medical attention. Your provider can examine possible causes and may refer you to an audiologist or an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
Your doctor can also refer you to specialists who offer therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), and Biofeedback.
These therapies help manage tinnitus by shifting how you perceive and respond to the symptoms, reducing awareness and the disturbance they cause.
Conclusion
Some people don’t notice the ringing of tinnitus until it’s time to go to sleep. But whether you hear the difference between day and night or not you can still do something about it so you can sleep. Talk to your doctor if it has become a problem to learn more about your individual situation and calm the noise.
Until next time, sleep well……..
Goodnight!
The information in today’s post is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. When you have questions regarding your health you should seek the advice of your health care provider.