Skip to content
American Academy of Audiology
  • PRACTICE RESOURCES
    • Practice Guidelines and Standards
    • Coding
    • Medicare/Medicaid
    • Compliance
    • Quality Payment Program
  • EDUCATION & EVENTS
    • Event Calendar
    • Continuing Education
    • Online Learning and Certificate Programs
    • Research Grants and Scholarships
    • Faculty and Preceptor Resources
  • AAA ANNUAL CONVENTION
    • Attend
    • Program and Events
    • Exhibit Hall
    • Exhibit and Sponsorship Opportunities
    • About
  • NEWS & PUBLICATIONS
    • News
    • Audiology Today
    • Journal of the American Academy of Audiology
    • Advertising
    • Permissions and Reprints
    • Press and Media Information
  • CAREERS
    • Career Center
    • Certification
    • Become an Audiologist
    • Doctoral Programs in Audiology
    • Recruiting
    • New Professional Toolkit
  • ADVOCACY
    • Legislative and Regulatory Activities
      • State Affairs
      • Federal Affairs
    • Legislative Action Center
    • Government Relations News
  • CONSUMERS
    • What Is an Audiologist
    • Hearing and Balance Symptoms and Conditions
    • Managing Hearing Loss
    • Seniors and Hearing Loss
    • Children and Hearing Loss
    • OTC Hearing Aid
  • ABOUT THE ACADEMY
    • Leadership
    • Committees and Task Forces
    • Get Involved
    • Honors and Awards
    • Sponsorships and Corporate Partners
    • Contact Us
  • MEMBERSHIP
    • Benefits
    • Ethics
    • Member Directory
    • Membership Renewals
FacebookTwitterLinkedinYoutubeInstagram
  • Students
  • Get Involved
  • Donate
  • Renew
American Academy of Audiology
Member Login
  • PRACTICE RESOURCES
    • Practice Guidelines and Standards
    • Coding
    • Medicare/Medicaid
    • Compliance
    • Quality Payment Program
  • EDUCATION & EVENTS
    • Event Calendar
    • Continuing Education
    • Online Learning and Certificate Programs
    • Research Grants and Scholarships
    • Faculty and Preceptor Resources
  • AAA ANNUAL CONVENTION
    • Attend
    • Program and Events
    • Exhibit Hall
    • Exhibit and Sponsorship Opportunities
    • About
  • NEWS & PUBLICATIONS
    • News
    • Audiology Today
    • Journal of the American Academy of Audiology
    • Advertising
    • Permissions and Reprints
    • Press and Media Information
  • CAREERS
    • Career Center
    • Certification
    • Become an Audiologist
    • Doctoral Programs in Audiology
    • Recruiting
    • New Professional Toolkit
  • ADVOCACY
    • Legislative and Regulatory Activities
      • State Affairs
      • Federal Affairs
    • Legislative Action Center
    • Government Relations News
  • CONSUMERS
    • What Is an Audiologist
    • Hearing and Balance Symptoms and Conditions
    • Managing Hearing Loss
    • Seniors and Hearing Loss
    • Children and Hearing Loss
    • OTC Hearing Aid
  • ABOUT THE ACADEMY
    • Leadership
    • Committees and Task Forces
    • Get Involved
    • Honors and Awards
    • Sponsorships and Corporate Partners
    • Contact Us
  • MEMBERSHIP
    • Benefits
    • Ethics
    • Member Directory
    • Membership Renewals
July 8, 2025

Sleep Disorders and Hearing Loss

  • Audiology in the News

Everyone needs sleep. It is crucial for both physical and mental well-being, restoring, and rejuvenating the body and mind. However, the World Health Organization estimates that 1 in 3 people worldwide have some form of sleep disorder, such as insomnia, limb movement, or sleep apnea (San & Arranz, 2024).

The relationship between sleep disorders and hearing loss has been extensively researched, yet it remains unclear how much one of these affects the other. Some studies suggest that hearing loss may worsen sleep quality (make it harder for people to sleep well), while concurrently, sleep disorders may worsen auditory health.

Researchers at Air Force Medical University in China recently reviewed literature focusing on the relationship. Zhang et al. (2025), systematically reviewed and analyzed the existing literature on the correlation between sleep disorders and hearing loss.

Results revealed that individuals with hearing loss may be more sensitive to background noise, which can cause problems falling asleep, frequent awakenings, and overall poor sleep quality. In addition, hearing loss has been shown to lead to social isolation, which amplifies stress. Both social isolation and stress can reduce sleep quality.

Sleep disorders can interfere with the microcirculation within the cochlea, thus decreasing the blood supply and damaging the hair cells. Sleep disorders may also cause an imbalance of electrolytes in the inner ear, disrupting fluid dynamics, and triggering oxidative stress and immune dysregulation. These processes may also undermine auditory function.

Zhang and colleagues conclude that future research should focus on the relationship across neurophysiology, the peripheral auditory system, oxidative stress, and the immune response. Other factors should also be researched, such as age, sex, comorbid health conditions across diverse populations, such as older adults and specific occupations.

References

 Zhang, P., An, X., Yang, R., Qi, M., Gao, Z. et al. (2025).  Echoes in the night: How sleep quality influences auditory health. Neuroscience, 21(577), 200-216. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2025.04.039. Epub 2025 Apr 26. PMID: 40294844.

 San, L. & Arranz, B. (2024) The night and day challenge of sleep disorders and insomnia: A narrative review. Actas Esp Psiquiatr 52(1):45-56. PMID: 38454895; PMCID: PMC10926017.

Share this

Related Posts

New Survey for Children with Unilateral Hearing Loss

How Do Animals Perceive Music?

‘Eye’ on Health: AI Detects Dizziness and Balance Disorders Remotely

Recent Posts

Government Relations News

Medicaid in Focus: What Audiologists Need to Know Now

With the recent changes to Medicaid, the Academy is preparing audiologists with the new one-pager, “Audiology in Medicaid”, an exclusive member resource designed to educate on…

Read More
Academy News

American Academy of Audiology Clinical Consensus Statement: Assessment of Vestibular Function in the Pediatric Population

Authors: Violette Lavender, AuD, Kristen Janky, PhD, Katheryn Bachmann, PhD, Melissa Caine, AuD, Micheal Castiglione, AuD, Guangwei Zhou, ScD The American Academy of Audiology Clinical…

Read More
Coding and Reimbursement

CMS Releases CY 2026 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center Proposed Rule

On July 15, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the calendar year (CY) 2026 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System proposed rule,…

Read More
wave-mark

Join the Academy

Academy members receive many benefits for professional development, practice management, and community development.

Become a Member
COMM24-Academy_Website_Graphics-revised_logo(W)

American Academy of Audiology
11480 Commerce Park Drive
Suite 220
Reston, VA 20191

Tel: 703-790-8466
Fax: 703-790-8631

  • Practice Resources
  • Education and Events
  • News and Publications
  • Careers
  • Advocacy
  • About the Academy
  • Consumers and Patients
  • Students
  • Donate
  • Get Involved
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Antitrust Policy and Guidelines
  • Terms of Use Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Sitemap

© Copyright 2025 American Academy of Audiology

Website by Yoko Co

This content is an exclusive benefit for American Academy of Audiology members.

If you’re a member, log in and you’ll get immediate access.

 

Member Login

 

If you’re not yet a member, you’ll be interested to know that joining not only gives you access to top-notch resources like this one, but also invitations to member-only events, inclusion in the member directory, participation in professional forums, and access to patient resources, tools, and continuing education. Join today!

Scroll To Top
We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. To learn more, please see our Privacy Policy.