Insomnia and tinnitus: are they connected, and how?
Chronic health issues can truly take a toll not only on our bodies but also on our mental and emotional well-being, threatening to disrupt our daily lives. If chronic health issues persist beyond a few weeks and challenge your ability to perform daily tasks, it is best to see a medical professional for advice. Tinnitus and insomnia are two conditions that relate to each other in interesting ways, and understanding them can help you start getting on the right track again. Can insomnia cause tinnitus? Let’s find out. If you are looking for a qualified, friendly audiologist in central Maryland, Clarity Audiology is here for you.
The Relationship between Tinnitus and Insomnia
Tinnitus usually causes insomnia, not the other way around. Tinnitus, the subjective internal tone, buzzing, or ringing in the ear, can make it harder to fall asleep when it persists. Many cases of tinnitus are either intermittent or temporary, but for a percentage of the US population, it is chronic. Even chronic tinnitus for one night can make it harder to fall asleep. In turn, when the body is sleep deprived, tinnitus may appear even louder or more prominent than it is, and harder to deal with.
Tinnitus can cause insomnia, anxiety, depression, and heightened nerve levels overall, which is why seeing an audiologist is very important. Relaxation and masking techniques at home can also help, but it is necessary to see an audiologist if the problem involves earwax impaction, hearing loss, or another condition.
Can Insomnia Cause Tinnitus?
There is a small chance that insomnia can cause tinnitus, but it is more related to stress than sleeplessness itself. Negative thoughts, which can induce severe anxiety and damage the body, can, in rare cases, induce tinnitus as well as insomnia. Insomnia only makes it harder to manage the stress or discomfort caused by tinnitus.
How to Handle Tinnitus and Insomnia
As mentioned earlier, relaxation techniques can help manage tinnitus. Breathing exercises, meditation, and putting on ambient sounds like white noise can help relax the body and focus your mind off of the tinnitus and any worries, resulting in better sleep.
See an audiologist if you believe the tinnitus could be the result of impacted earwax, an ear infection, medication, hearing loss, or another medical cause.
Trust the Experts at Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions
Need help with your hearing? Clarity Hearing can help. Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions is an independently owned and operated clinic that focuses on quality of care and personalized, friendly service to the surrounding areas of Ellicott City, Catonsville, and Columbia. Our Doctors of Audiology are highly trained with advanced degrees and take the time to provide the personalized care and attention that you need and deserve. We provide advanced hearing aid options that are personally calibrated with cutting-edge digital technology to fit your hearing loss, your unique ear anatomy, and your individual listening needs.