Protect Your Ears While Sleeping
Many people know that individuals with sleep apnea are at a higher risk for several health problems including heart disease and diabetes. But it may come as a surprise to many people that there is a link between sleep apnea and hearing loss. So what is this connection between hearing loss and sleep apnea all about? Below is some information about a recent study that links hearing impairment with people suffering from sleep apnea.
In 2014, a study was conducted by the Albany Medical Center in New York and was a part of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. Nearly 14,000 individuals participated in the study and all these people underwent at-home sleep apnea studies and on-site hearing tests.
The study found that sleep apnea was associated with hearing loss, with around 30% of the participants having some degree of hearing impairment. The researchers concluded that the link between sleep apnea and hearing loss could be due to improper blood flow to the cochlear in the inner ear due to underlying inflammation in blood vessels.
The good news in all of this is that people suffering from sleep apnea do not necessarily become hearing impaired. And as of yet, scientist are unsure which occurs first, hearing loss or sleep apnea or if there is a common third factor that has yet to be uncovered. More studies must be conducted, including studies which can determine whether sleep apnea actually is the cause of hearing loss and whether or not other ethnic populations are equally affected.
Contact Spark Sleep Solutions
Spark Sleep Solutions provides Los Gatos, San Ramon, Santa Cruz and San Jose sleep apnea treatment. Our only focus is on non-surgical sleep apnea treatment that does not involve the use of CPAP machines. Instead, we offer FDA-approved, oral devices which are comfortable, easy to use and very effective at treating this common sleep disorder that affects millions of Americans. To find out how we can help you get the restful sleep you need, give us a call at (408) 490-0182 or contact us online.