Is there a connection between sleepbuds and tinnitus? Tinnitus sufferers often lament that the ringing in their ears keeps them awake at night. Add that to other sleep disorders like insomnia, restless leg syndrome, or sleep apnea, and heading to bed each night can be a nightmare.
Astonishingly,
the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 70 million
people in America alone experience chronic sleep problems. And, that doesn’t
even count the rest of the world! It’s obvious that difficulty sleeping is a
common problem, but is there a solution? We can’t speak for all sleep disorders, but for those with
tinnitus, there may be a few options that can help.
Sleepbuds and Tinnitus
A few
years ago, Bose, a leader in innovative
sound technology, released their new Sleepbuds. They were
originally touted by the company as a solution for people who had difficulty
falling or staying asleep. Individual users, however, also found them helpful
for combatting the negative effects of tinnitus on their sleep quality.
Sleepbuds
paired to a cell phone app via Bluetooth. Then, the user could select their
choice of soundtrack as well as how long to listen. Unlike earbuds that play
music, Sleepbuds were designed to play sounds that would mask other noises or
promote relaxation. These included sounds like waves on a beach or a rain
shower. For individuals with tinnitus, these noises often masked the ringing in
their ears, making it easier to fall and stay asleep.
These
particular sleep aids have since been discontinued by Bose. While they may
still be available for purchase from other online sites, it is worth it to look
at other alternatives.
Tinnitus treatment options
Unfortunately,
there is no cure for tinnitus. However, there are several helpful tinnitus
treatment options in addition to sound masking devices like the
Bose Sleepbuds mentioned above. Some of the most common include:
- Hearing Aids – Tinnitus
is often a symptom of hearing loss. So, wearing appropriate hearing
aids
may lessen the symptoms. - Customized Sound Machines – Noise
masking devices are not personalized and typically provide relief only when you
are wearing them. In contrast, custom sound machines are designed specifically
for the frequency of your tinnitus
symptoms. They are worn intermittently and the benefits can be experienced even
after the device is turned off. - Behavioral Therapy – Does your
tinnitus make you feel like you’re going crazy? You’re not alone. Many tinnitus
sufferers also have high stress, anxiety, or depression. Behavioral therapy
helps you learn how to cope and live with your condition. - Medication –
Again, this is not a cure, but rather a way to deal with tinnitus symptoms.
Every individual case is different, but doctors often treat tinnitus with
multiple approaches. Antianxiety or antidepressant drugs may be used in
addition to the other treatments listed above. For more information about
tinnitus drug therapy, check out the resources provided by the American
Tinnitus Association. - Treating the Cause – Sometimes,
the actual cause of tinnitus can be determined and treated. For example, excessive
ear wax, a problem with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), or an
irritation of the auditory system can cause tinnitus. Simply fixing these problems may cause the tinnitus
symptoms to disappear.
Tinnitus treatment is only a phone call
away
Whatever
the cause, and no matter how crippling the symptoms may be, there is someplace you can go for help. If you
have tinnitus symptoms or any other hearing difficulty, schedule an appointment
with your audiologist or hearing healthcare professional as soon as possible. A
thorough evaluation is needed for proper diagnosis and determination of
appropriate treatment options.
The post Can Sleepbuds Help With Tinnitus? appeared first on Hear Well – Live Well.
Source: Hear Well-Live Well Blog
