Snoring is defined as the sound produced as a result of the vibration of respiratory structures that is caused due to the obstructive airflow while sleeping. In some cases, the snoring sound might be mild, whereas it would be loud and unpleasant in other cases. The latter kind of snoring during sleep can also be the first sign of Obstructive Sleep Apnea or OSA.

According to the studies, around 40% of people in the United States are suffering from severe snoring issues. Just like OSA, snoring can also be the indicator of many other fatal health issues such as heart diseases, mental disorders, and many other health problems. It can also be the other way round; that is, frequent snoring can also contribute to other diseases.

Note that it is not the snorers who always suffer; people sleeping with them are also prone to many health issues. One of the major health problems commonly seen in people sleeping with snorers is deafness.

The Relation between Snoring and Deafness in Bedmates

According to recent studies, it is determined that almost every people who sleep close to the snorers suffer from a high-frequency hearing loss in the ear that is closest to the snorer. Not only the bed partners, the snorers themselves are also prone to hearing diseases.

As said, frequent snoring also leads to sleep apnea, a sleep disorder that forces the patient to pause breathing for a few seconds while asleep. However, the occurrence and range of these pauses vary in different people; it can last from few seconds to more than a minute, and can occur more than 30 times in an hour. These pauses will result in frequent awakenings and thereby disrupt the sleep of the patient.

Sleep apnea can hold back the vascular supply to the cochlea that results in inflammation in the ear. This, along with loud snoring, leads to hearing loss and other health issues. As for the bedmate, frequent wake ups, disrupted sleep, and annoying snoring sounds, all trigger the sensory nerves in the brain and lead to hearing issues, aside from the tiredness, fatigue, and mood-swings in the daytime.

Counter Measures for Snoring

One of the best options to counter snoring issues is to use a reliable, medically approved snore guard. However, it is recommended to consult a doctor and do a sleep-test prior to this; using the wrong snore guard may worsen the situation. You can also tackle the condition and stop snoring by taking proactive measures such as losing weight, stop consuming liquor, etc.

If you are diagnosed with hearing loss, it is recommended to consult an audiologist and conduct a hearing test. Note that hearing loss can be treated completely if it is diagnosed at an earlier stage.