Have you been diagnosed with sleep apnea? If so, you may want to schedule an appointment with an audiologist. It turns out, sleep apnea and hearing loss are closely linked. We review this connection below.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the tissues in the mouth and throat collapsing into the airway; central sleep apnea is the result of the brain failing to send the correct signals to the muscles that control breathing; complex sleep apnea is a combination of the two.
Symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Loud snoring.
- Gasping for air.
- Insomnia.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness.
- Dry mouth.
- Headache.
- Concentration problems.
- Mood changes.
What Does the Research Show?
According to one study of over 16,000 people, hearing loss is more common among those with a higher body mass index (BMI) who snore and have severe sleep apnea. This was determined by in-home sleep apnea studies and on-site audiometric testing.
Another smaller study found that those with the lowest oxygen levels are much more likely to have hearing loss among people with severe obstructive sleep apnea.
Why the Link?
It has not been established that sleep apnea directly causes hearing loss. However, there are some theories about why the two conditions are linked.
One theory is that sleep apnea reduces blood flow to the inner ears. Within the inner ears are tiny hair cells that convert soundwaves into electrical energy that the brain interprets as sound. If these hair cells are deprived of blood and oxygen, they can die. And once damaged, they do not regenerate.
Another theory is that years of loud snoring can contribute to noise-induced hearing loss.
What About Tinnitus?
Another hearing condition – tinnitus (ringing in the ears) – has also been linked to sleep apnea. A study in Taiwan found that the risk of tinnitus was significantly higher in middle-aged and older people who had sleep disturbances, especially sleep apnea. Tinnitus is a condition that can also contribute to insomnia.
Management Options
Sleep apnea can be managed by working out at The Forum Athletic Club to lose weight, getting a CPAP machine or undergoing surgery. Hearing loss and tinnitus are treated by a hearing expert known as an audiologist. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Advanced Hearing today.