How Sleep Apnea Can Affect Your Hearing – Audiology Associates

Most people think of sleep apnea as a condition that affects breathing and sleep—but it may also affect your hearing.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) repeatedly narrows or blocks the airway during sleep, causing brief drops in oxygen, changes in blood pressure and disrupted rest. Research has found an association between OSA and hearing loss, although more research is needed to fully understand whether sleep apnea directly causes hearing damage. Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, may also be more common in people with OSA.
During sleep apnea episodes, repeated fluctuations in oxygen can place stress on delicate structures in the inner ear, including the cochlea. Reduced oxygen may contribute to oxidative stress and inflammation, potentially affecting how the ear processes sound. The repeated increases in blood pressure and nervous system activity that occur during apnea episodes may also place additional stress on the tiny blood vessels that supply the inner ear.
If you suspect you have sleep apnea, talk with your physician or a sleep specialist. A sleep study, either at a sleep clinic or through an appropriate home evaluation, can help determine whether you have OSA. If you are diagnosed, following your provider’s treatment recommendations, including the use of a CPAP or other appropriate device, is important.
You can also help protect your hearing and overall health by managing blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and protecting your ears from excessive noise at work, concerts and other loud environments.
Some people notice improved morning clarity or fewer tinnitus symptoms after treating their sleep apnea, but hearing recovery is not guaranteed. Preventing additional stress on the auditory system is important.
Even when a hearing test is within normal limits, you may notice difficulty understanding conversations in background noise, increased tinnitus or that your hearing simply doesn’t seem as sharp as it once was. Regular hearing evaluations can help monitor changes over time.
At Audiology Associates, we provide comprehensive hearing evaluations, hearing aid services and tinnitus solutions for individuals throughout Santa Clarita and the San Fernando Valley.
Call 661-284-1900 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kevin Bolder or Dr. John Davis.
Visit our website at AudiologyAssociates.net.
We are Hearing Healthcare Excellence!