A novel investigation delves into the potential association between the auditory condition tinnitus—where people experience sound in the absence of any external cause—and the pivotal role sleep plays in cognitive and neural well-being.
An estimated 15% of people worldwide are affected by tinnitus, which can lead to heightened stress or depression, particularly in those coping with the condition over long durations. With no known cure at present, exploring ways to manage and mitigate tinnitus is of great importance.
Unseen Sounds and Cerebral Dynamics
Described as a phantom perception, tinnitus involves brain activity that translates into hearing experiences even in the absence of actual acoustic stimuli. Such perceptions are common during sleep; however, for those with tinnitus, these noises pervade their waking hours. Studies suggest tinnitus may cause overactivity in specific brain regions related to auditory processing, thus disrupting typical cerebral operations.
Neuroscience doctoral candidate Linus Milinski from the University of Oxford notes, “For individuals afflicted with tinnitus, the persistent phantom noises during wakefulness indicate a shift in neural circuits.”
Observations reveal that during sleep—where the brain changes how it functions drastically—this altered neural activity continues. A deeper understanding of the shared neurological processes underlying both sleep and tinnitus may pave the way for novel treatments.
The Importance of Deep Sleep
Deep or slow-wave sleep is crucial for the brain’s recuperative processes and memory consolidation, marked by rhythmic “waves” that sequentially activate and coordinate large brain regions. All brain areas don’t exhibit the same intensity of slow-wave activity, and excessive action in certain areas may cause sleep disruption.
Milinski remarks, “Due to possibly relentless neural activity in certain regions, those grappling with tinnitus may experience poor quality deep sleep, fraught with disturbances and even night terrors.”
Although generally experiencing less profound sleep, evidence implies that intense slow-wave sleep might still alleviate tinnitus. Neurons that have been active for prolonged periods resort to slow-wave activity for repose, which could dampen tinnitus. Moreover, such activity may sever the communication between brain areas, potentially preventing the hyperactive regions from causing disruptions during sleep.
Prospects of Enhanced Tinnitus Management
The investigative body posits that tracking sleep phases and neural activity concurrently could shed light on the dynamic between sleep and tinnitus. Interventions aimed at augmenting deep sleep may provide insights into alleviating the effects of tinnitus on one’s quality of life.
“By deciphering the role deep sleep has in quieting tinnitus and fortifying memory, we aspire to carve pathways to enterprising therapies,” offers Fernando Nodal, departmental lecturer with the Auditory Neuroscience Group at the University of Oxford.
The team’s conclusions build upon a primary publication from May 2022, now shared under a Creative Commons license by The Conversation, furthering our understanding of the intersection between auditory disturbances and sleep cycles..
