People with neck or back problems use memory foam pillows for their comfort and support. However, there is growing concern about whether dense memory foam pillows can worsen or even cause tinnitus. In this blog, we will explore can dense memory foam pillow cause tinnitus and any potential health effects, especially tinnitus.
What is Tinnitus?
Ringing or buzzing in the ears and no external noise is known as tinnitus. Millions worldwide are affected and it can be anything from a minor annoyance to a serious and life-altering condition. Tinnitus research has not determined the exact cause, but it is often speculated that it is associated with allergies, dehydration, or high blood pressure among other things. However, perhaps your pillow, and specifically perhaps a dense memory foam pillow, may be responsible for this.
The Effect of Memory Foam Pillows on Tinnitus
Memory foam pillows are meant to hug your head and neck to give you all the support you need. But the dense memory foam material can also trap heat and does not help proper airflow around your head, affecting your overall health.
1. Memory Foam Health Effects
While memory foam is a great comfort material for many, there are some health effects to consider, particularly for those who are sensitive to other things in life. It’s possible that the foam can trap body heat and make it uncomfortable. This trapped heat might even make it to your ears, secondhand, and so for some people, it could worsen your tinnitus. Furthermore, some memory foam products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which may aggravate allergies or even respiratory issues in users with sensitivities.
2. Side Effects of Sleeping on Memory Foam
Memory foam pillows are very supportive but also have a couple of downsides. As we have mentioned earlier, one of the side effects of sleeping on memory foam is that next to it, you can get hot. This results in discomfort and the stress this causes can make tinnitus symptoms worse. If you have already tinnitus, the uncomfortable sleeping conditions could make the ringing sound more visible when you lie down.
3. Tinnitus When Lying Down
A common complaint for many people with tinnitus is that symptoms are made worse when lying down. But increased pressure in the head and ears could be an issue if you're using a dense memory foam pillow which blocks airflow. How much pressure builds up in your ears depends on where you place your head and neck about your body when you sleep and can aggravate tinnitus symptoms.
Allergies and Tinnitus
Allergies sometimes are a reason for Tinnitus to be triggered or worsened. Can allergies cause tinnitus? Yes, they can. Inflammation in the ear and surrounding tissues can result from an allergic reaction and tinnitus can even be triggered or exacerbated. Synthetic memory foam can also cause allergic reactions in sensitive patients. Memory foam pillows typically aren’t good choices for people prone to allergies because allergic reactions could lead to ear congestion or inflammation, which could make the tinnitus worse.
Dehydration and Tinnitus
Dehydration and tinnitus are related. Keeping the body’s fluid balance the way it should be, including in the inner ear, requires good amounts of proper hydration. The imbalance of fluids in your ear caused by dehydration may worsen tinnitus. If you notice that your sleeping environment is contributing to your dehydration (such as by making you sweat excessively from heat retention into the pillow) it can indirectly make it worse. Keeping yourself hydrated all day is good for managing tinnitus symptoms.
High Blood Pressure Tinnitus
Another contributing factor to tinnitus is high blood pressure. Known as hypertension, high blood pressure tinnitus can increase the pressure inside your ears, leading to or worsening tinnitus. Sleeping on a dense memory foam pillow may not be comfortable at all, and may contribute to some uncomfortable sleeping conditions that can increase the stress and indirectly affect your blood pressure. If you’re one of the unlucky folks suffering from tinnitus related to high blood pressure, then managing your sleep environment is important — meaning choosing the right pillow.
Is Tinnitus a Disability?
To many people, the question arises: Is tinnitus a disability? While tinnitus can be tremendously disruptive to daily living, it is not usually considered a disability in itself. Nevertheless, it may be a symptom of a disability, for example, hearing loss or some other ear-related problems. Tinnitus is a very variable disorder, and, in some, can be very severe, with tinnitus interfering significantly with daily activities, such as work and sleep.
Can a Memory Foam Pillow Trigger or Worsen Tinnitus?
If you have tinnitus then the potential health effects of memory foam pillows are something to consider — maybe memory foam pillows trigger or make it worse. Memory foam pillows don't cause tinnitus directly, but there's no concrete, clinical evidence of that and there are several factors associated with memory foam—including retention of heat and allergies—that can worsen tinnitus symptoms for some people. These factors together can contribute to a suboptimal sleep environment — which can exacerbate tinnitus, or make existing tinnitus more noticeable.
What Should You Do If You Suspect Your Pillow Is Contributing to Tinnitus?
If you suspect that your dense memory foam pillow is contributing to your tinnitus, here are a few steps you can take:
Conclusion:
A dense memory foam pillow won't actually lead to tinnitus but can make the condition worse in those who already have the condition. Heat retention, the likelihood of allergic reactions, and just plain discomfort at sleeping are some of the factors that can make tinnitus more noticeable at night. If you think your pillow plays a role in tinnitus and suspect your pillow may be part of the problem, consider switching to a more breathable option and making adjustments to your sleep environment.
By being mindful of the health effects of memory foam, you can take steps to manage your tinnitus symptoms and get a better night’s sleep.
FAQs:
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How long does temporary tinnitus last?
Temporary tinnitus typically lasts anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. It can be caused by exposure to loud noise, stress, or certain medications. In most cases, it resolves on its own, but if symptoms persist, it's important to consult a healthcare professional.
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How to sleep with tinnitus?
To sleep with tinnitus, try using white noise machines or fans to mask the ringing sounds. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, reducing caffeine, and practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation can also help improve sleep quality.
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Can hearing aids make tinnitus worse?
Hearing aids usually don’t make tinnitus worse. They often help reduce the perception of tinnitus by amplifying external sounds, which can mask the ringing. However, improperly adjusted hearing aids could cause discomfort, so it’s important to consult an audiologist for proper fitting.
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Does alcohol make tinnitus worse?
Yes, alcohol can make tinnitus worse for some people. Alcohol increases blood flow, which may cause the inner ear to swell, exacerbating the ringing sounds. Reducing alcohol intake could help manage tinnitus symptoms.