I'm 25. I am such a light sleeper. I cannot sleep with ANY noise present...if I hear someone talking in the next room (not even loudly), it distracts me and I can't sleep. My apartment is one the third floor, and if I hear someone talking in the parking lot, it wakes me up. The worst comes if I want to spend the night with my boyfriend. He snores, and I absolutely CANNOT fall asleep with that, and if I finally do, I can't stay asleep. Same when I travel with friends and share a hotel room.
When noise happens when I want to sleep, I feel myself getting very irritated/aggitated. I can only focus on the sound. And I can't sleep.
I'm at my wits end. I don't want this to continue; if I get married at some point I don't want to have to sleep in another room.
I don't want to take sleeping pills if at all possible. I'm just wondering if anyone has a similar problem and if anything as helped you. Any helpful suggestions are welcome. This really impairs my life, and I'm sick of it.
2007-10-05 05:10:34 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
Also, I want to add I mentioned I don't want to take sleeping pills. I'm not necessarily opposed to them; I just absolutely don't want to take anything addicting. I also don't want to take one that will help me sleep but then I'll be too tired the next day to function.
2007-10-05 05:17:15 · update #1
It sounds like you may have hyperacusis. The person who has hyperacusis can't simply get up and walk away from noise. Instead, the volume on the whole world seems stuck on high. Hyperacusis is defined as a collapsed tolerance to normal environmental sounds. Ears also lose most of their dynamic range, which is the ability of the ear to deal with quick shifts in sound loudness. Suddenly everyday noises sound unbearably or painfully loud. The disorder is often chronic and usually accompanied by tinnitus (ringing in the ears), but can occur in patients who have little or no measurable hearing loss.
Most people wtih hyperacusis also experience inner ear pain or a feeling of fullness (pressure) in the ears. Hyperacusis can be devastating to the patient's career, relationships, and peace of mind. It sounds like this is what is happening in your case. You may want to try earplugs at night to help block out the noise. Some good ones are SilentEar Reusable Ear Plugs. You can also try white noise masking, where the other sounds are blocked out with white noise. One system is the SnoreMasker(TM) Pro In-Ear White Noise Machine, which puts the white noise right into your ear (not too loud, though of course).
The progression of hyperacusis is unpredictable. Many patients' tolerance improves while some cases grow steadily worse. The only factor we know of that unquestionably affects progression or regression is continued exposure to loud noise. Many people have seen improvement in sound tolerance through the use of sound generators (special hearing aids) that emit broad band pink noise. This retraining therapy suggests that the ear will become desensitized to sound by listening to broadband pink noise at barely audible levels for a disciplined period of time each day (usually 2-8 hours a day). This has been proven to help over 90% of people suffering from hyperacusis maximize the tolerances in their ears. These can definitely help the hyperacusis patient but they are not a cure.
Individuals who suddenly come down with hyperacusis go through a distressing crisis period where it may be difficult for the patient to sleep restfully at night. Getting proper sleep and reducing stress levels are very important and some medication may initially be needed to help facilitate this.
The underlying reasons why some people are more susceptible to ear problems than others is not understood. Of the various catalysts for the onset of hyperacusis, noise is the most common and preventable one. Avoid loud sounds whenever possible and wear ear protection when needed.
2007-10-05 05:24:45 · answer #1 · answered by bflokitty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don't want to take a sleeping pill, I have two suggestions: You can call a Sleep Clinic and be evaluated for your problem, as it may be the only thing that lets you sleep normally. Or you can be evaluated for depression, as sleeplessness is the number one complaint of depressed individuals. In this case you would need to call a mental health professional for an evaluation. I used to be an insomniac until it nearly drove me crazy.... and found out I had major depression. Sleep is no longer a problem. Good luck.
2007-10-05 05:20:11 · answer #2 · answered by NMFlamingo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Welcome to my world!
And I ABSOLUTELY agree with you, stay away from pills.
NOISE REDUCTION:
I tried ear plugs (the flexible yellow ones you find at the pharmacy) but it gives me ear infections if I do it every night for too long.
I am thinking of getting those BOSE earphones that cover up your entire ear and are supposed to cut off all noise. My daughter got them and she loves it. Plus you can listen to wonderful, relaxing music.
RELAXATION:
I have a wonderful self-hypnosis tape from Potentials Unlimited, "relieve stress and anxiety", it knocks me right out.
When I meditate before bed I sleep better.
Going in the SPA does a wonderful job too.
Ask your bf to give you a massage.
Valerian herbal tea or Orange Blossom is great.
HIS SNORING:
My husband sometimes snores sooo loud I can hear him through the plugs, and even from the living room couch with the bedroom door closed. Try to roll your bf over on his side.
I use essential oil diffuser in the bedroom (lavender, eucalyptus, pine) and I rub his feet with them; that seems to reduce his snoring considerably. The nose strips work well too.
Good luck!
2007-10-05 05:33:57 · answer #3 · answered by Mooniya 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm in the same situation as you,
A doctor told me to take Benadryl tablets at night and follow the directions on the bottle.
If I do this, "I sleep like a baby" with no side affects.
It even got rid of the light circles under my eyes. It opens your nose passage and you can breath and sleep better.
Trust me it works.
2007-10-05 05:22:50 · answer #4 · answered by Stacie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a similar problem (or did). I found that listening to soft music helps me - I just focus on the music or the TV (whatever I am in the mood for) and all of a sudden, it is morning. I do get bugged when my brother has his TV on really loud next to me but I just get up and tell him to shut if off then go back and listen to my TV or music.
2007-10-05 05:18:07 · answer #5 · answered by Go Bears! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ear plugs and melatonin
2007-10-05 05:18:44 · answer #6 · answered by TryItOnce 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
white noise?
2007-10-05 05:17:27 · answer #7 · answered by TX Mom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋