Tinnitus, simply put is a ringing in the ears. The medical definition is: a physical condition, experienced as noises or ringing in the ears when no such external physical noise is present. Tinnitus can be caused by an issue with your hearing; it is a symptom of a problem, not a disease itself. For those who are suffering with tinnitus, it can interfere with sleep and cause sleep deprivation and stress which can make the situation worse. Today, we have 10 tips for sleeping better with tinnitus.
- Clear your mind before going to sleep.
- Avoid “the loop”. Focus on thinking about one thing that helps you sleep. This prevents you from focusing on the tinnitus and causing a “loop” of thinking about it and causing it to get louder when you focus on it.
- Set up a bedtime ritual that you perform each night.
- Keep the same bedtime schedule every night.
- Perform relaxation exercises right before bed. These are available on the free Oticon tinnitus app.
- Sleep in a very dark room.
- Keep your bedroom cooler.
- Use white noise to help you focus on that sound instead of the tinnitus.
- Exercise regularly. Research shows that people who exercise regularly sleep better.
- Do not watch television or use electronic devices before going to bed.
Consult with the Hearing Experts at Kenwood Hearing Center
If tinnitus is keeping you from getting a good night’s sleep, sleep deprivation can be stressful and can cause a host of other health issues. You should find out what helps you sleep and practice those techniques regularly in addition to seeking out help for your hearing. As we mentioned earlier, tinnitus usually indicates that there is something wrong with your hearing. It is a symptom of a problem that you should have checked out by a hearing professional or your physician. If you would like to speak with an experienced hearing care professional and discuss your available options based off your specific hearing loss needs, contact us today and schedule an appointment.