Having tinnitus can be very embarrassing, both physically and mentally. The worst part is that there is currently no cure for tinnitus. But in the face of current developments in science and medicine, we may one day find a cure for this problem. A first step in this direction was taken by establishing a link between tinnitus and sleep hygiene.
A problem with multiple sources
Tinnitus is the medical term for extraneous noises in the ears. Most people experience tinnitus as ringing in the ears, but other noises can be heard by people with this disorder, such as roaring, hissing, clicking or murmuring. Although we hear these sons in the ears there is no external sound source. For this reason, tinnitus sounds are sometimes called phantom sounds.
It should be noted that tinnitus is not in itself a real disease. Rather, it is a symptom that can have many causes. Indeed, the simple fact of being tired or having listened to music at a very high volume can cause tinnitus. Taking certain medications, earwax plugs, but also diseases such as a tumor or an ear infection can also be the cause. Tinnitus – especially in older people – can also be a symptom of the onset of hearing loss.
It is also important to know that depending on its causes, tinnitus can be occasional, intermittent or continuous. But, whatever the cause of this hearing disorder, there is currently no cure for tinnitus. Indeed, tinnitus cannot be treated, but rather the underlying medical conditions that cause it are treated. On the other hand, there are several ways to better manage tinnitus, and studies are still being conducted on the subject to help patients in this direction, but also in the hope of developing treatments.
Sleep might be the cure for tinnitus
A recent series of research published in Brain Communications notably established a link between tinnitus and sleep. Researchers have discovered that during the slow-wave sleep phase – or deep sleep – it is possible that certain areas of the brain are overactive, when they are supposed to be functioning in slow motion. This is something that happens in people who suffer from sleepwalking, and scientists believe a similar process occurs in those who suffer from tinnitus. Specifically, scientists believe that tinnitus prevents those who suffer from it from sleeping soundly.
This would explain in particular why people who suffer from tinnitus are more likely to have sleep disorders compared to individuals who do not have this hearing disorder. On the other hand, the researchers also found that although tinnitus affects sleep quality, this problem does not totally influence deep sleep. The researchers thus suggest that deep sleep may have the ability to suppress tinnitus. While this is only a theory for now, researchers believe it is a good avenue to explore for treating tinnitus through sleep manipulation.
