If you’ve ever found yourself lying awake into the early hours of the morning, you may have felt like you could almost feel the silence all around you. However, sometimes silence isn’t what you hear when trying to sleep. Instead, you may notice a constant ringing noise that makes it difficult to get the rest you need to feel refreshed during the day.
Tinnitus may leave you tossing and turning throughout the night, making it difficult to relax and fall asleep. Because tinnitus involves perceiving sounds without an external source, earplugs and pillows generally won’t eliminate the ringing. In fact, blocking out surrounding sounds may make tinnitus more noticeable for some people.
Because background noise can make tinnitus less noticeable during the day, you may feel that your symptoms worsen when you lie down for bed. Follow along as El Dorado Hearing explains why tinnitus may seem worse at night and what steps you can take to make it more manageable.
Why Tinnitus Worsens at Night
Even if you have mild to moderate hearing loss, you may still hear many of the everyday sounds around you. As you go about your day, your ears pick up sounds from the surrounding environment, such as a ticking clock, a tea kettle, or a car horn. These external sounds can help draw your attention away from tinnitus, making the ringing seem less noticeable.
However, when you head to bed, you’re often in a quiet, relaxed environment with fewer background sounds. Without these everyday noises, the ringing in your ears may become much more noticeable and seem louder than it does throughout the day.
The quiet environment doesn’t necessarily mean your tinnitus has become worse. Instead, the contrast between the tinnitus and the lack of external sound may make it more prominent. Stress, fatigue, and difficulty relaxing can also make it harder to cope with the ringing when you’re trying to fall asleep.
So, what can you do to make tinnitus more manageable when trying to sleep?
How to Improve Sleep with Tinnitus
If you’re experiencing tinnitus and having difficulty sleeping, adding gentle background sound to your bedroom may help make the ringing less noticeable and create a more comfortable sleep environment.
Sometimes, simple white noise can help ease the impact of tinnitus at bedtime. One accessible option is to use a fan in your bedroom. Its steady background sound may help make the ringing less prominent and create a relaxing atmosphere.
You may also consider using a white noise machine that allows you to adjust the volume and choose from different sounds. If a fan doesn’t provide enough background noise, a sound machine may offer more flexibility in finding a comfortable level.
Another option is to play quiet television audio or soothing sounds while you fall asleep. However, keeping the television on throughout the night may disrupt your sleep or your partner’s sleep because of changes in volume, light, or program content.
Whichever option you choose, keep the volume at a comfortable level. The goal is to make tinnitus less noticeable without creating noise that interferes with your sleep.
El Dorado Hearing Is Here to Help
Take the first step toward relief by scheduling a tinnitus evaluation with one of the skilled audiologists at El Dorado Hearing. If you or a family member is struggling with tinnitus, we can help you explore appropriate management options to make your symptoms more manageable during the day and at night.
Our doctors of audiology specialize in evaluating, diagnosing, and managing tinnitus. Contact us to schedule an appointment and learn more about the options available to help you manage your tinnitus symptoms.