"Usually, my tinnitus is not too severe, but once I wake up from an afternoon nap, it feels like thousands of insects are flying inside my ears. What's the reason, and is it still safe to take naps?" A recent article in the journal Hearing Research reported that over a third of tinnitus sufferers experience an increase in tinnitus loudness after taking an afternoon nap, with snoring potentially being the culprit.
Approximately 14% of the global population is affected by tinnitus, which can be triggered by factors such as stress, noise, certain foods, and changes in air pressure, including those experienced during afternoon naps. To investigate this phenomenon, a research team recruited 37 patients who experience tinnitus induced by afternoon naps. The participants took three naps at 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM each day, during which polysomnography and audiological tests were conducted. Over the course of the two-day experiment, a total of 197 data points were collected, revealing a significant increase in tinnitus loudness.
Comparative analysis showed that meal consumption had no impact on the increase in tinnitus loudness; however, the duration of light and deep sleep was significantly associated with tinnitus. The duration and intensity of snoring, as well as the frequency of apneas and hypopneas, were positively correlated with tinnitus episodes. Dysfunction of the tensor veli palatini muscle related to snoring and sleep apnea is likely to trigger mechanisms associated with tinnitus. Additionally, the study found that nap posture and bruxism had little relation to tinnitus, indicating that somatosensory regulation is not a significant factor.
Given these findings, can individuals who experience tinnitus after napping still take afternoon naps? Based on the study's conclusions, since tinnitus episodes are associated with snoring, seeking medical advice to improve snoring symptoms may be beneficial in reducing tinnitus. Some tinnitus sufferers have reported that using white noise—such as the sound of rain, a fan, or soft music—during and after napping can provide some relief; this approach could also be worth trying.
