Tinnitus is a condition that, according to Health Direct, affects about 2 in 3 Australians at some point in their life. Over 10% of people find that tinnitus severely affects their quality of life. These tinnitus and sleep statistics are difficult to ignore.
The constant ringing or other sounds that people with tinnitus experience is often a problem not only through the day but also at night. Many people with tinnitus and sleep issues also experience insomnia, which can lead to a whole range of health issues. SleepHub® may help those suffering from tinnitus through the unique application of neuroscience and sound technology.
Ringing in my ears
When you are about to fall asleep and the room is quiet, the tinnitus sounds appear to become amplified as this is the sound you focus on, making it difficult to fall asleep. This can lead to anxiety and sleep deprivation, and a vicious cycle of tinnitus and sleep problems begin.
As Dr. Michael Breuss explains: “People with tinnitus often have difficulty sleeping and feel tired and fatigued during the day. They also appear to be significantly more likely to have sleep disorders than the general population. A study that examined the relationship between sleep problems and tinnitus found that 54 percent of people with tinnitus also had a sleep disorder.”
Sound therapy
Research has shown that sound therapy can be an effective way to manage tinnitus. Known as a masking sound, the idea is that the external noise is loud enough to partially or completely cover the sound of the tinnitus. The masking noise doesn’t necessarily mean white noise. Any sound that you feel is calming and relaxing can help.
SleepHub® soundscapes and sleep sounds
A variety of soundscapes feature in SleepHub®, ranging from white and pink noise to rain, ocean and train sounds. These masking sounds can help tinnitus sufferers to fall asleep as the concentration is not on the internal sound but on the external sound.
Over time, those with tinnitus may find that their sleeping patterns are completely out of whack. Apart from soundscapes, SleepHub® uses sleep sounds to retrain the brain to restore your sleeping patterns naturally. To achieve healthy sleep, we should be cycling through different sleep stages in a fairly predictable manner, alternating between REM and non-REM sleep. SleepHub® guides you through natural sleep patterns, improving sleep quality and correcting poor sleep habits.
You can learn more about the science of SleepHub® here. Please feel free to contact us to learn more about our sleep devices for insomnia and devices to help you sleep better.