Ashwin Lewis
Sleep is essential for health and healing, but what happens to our hearing when we sleep? Recent studies have shown that people can hear while sleeping, and the brain can process the sounds heard and decide which sounds to pay attention to. However, as people transition into deep sleep, they stop processing external sounds, and the memory of hearing them may be erased. This is because during deep sleep, the brain disconnects from the outside world to consolidate memories and rest.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hearing during sleep | People can hear during the first two stages of sleep. |
| Brain's response to sound during sleep | The brain pays more attention to certain sounds than others. |
| Memory of sounds heard during sleep | People do not remember the sounds they hear during deep sleep. |
| Brain activity during sleep | Brain activity is present during sleep, especially in the light phase of sleep. |
| Impact of hearing loss on sleep | Hearing loss is associated with sleep issues such as insomnia. |
| Sleep duration and hearing | Sleeping for fewer or more hours than the recommended 7-9 hours per night is linked to hearing loss. |
| Sleep issues and hearing loss | Sleep problems, sleep apnea, and other sleep disorders may contribute to hearing loss. |
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What You'll Learn
You can hear while sleeping
It is true that during some sleep stages, our brains pay very little attention to what's happening around us. However, during other stages, we can hear and process sounds even in our sleep. Our ears continue to work as usual when we sleep, but our brain acts as a filter, deciding whether we should respond to a sound and wake up or continue sleeping. This is an adaptive mechanism that protects our sleep while keeping us alert to potential threats.
When we are awake, the primary auditory cortex is engaged in hearing. During sleep, however, not only the primary auditory cortex but also the frontal lobe are engaged. The frontal lobe plays a crucial role in vigilance operations, making it possible to ignite a chain reaction of nervous system functioning when the brain notices a threatening or otherwise dangerous sound. This portion of the brain is engaged in hearing activity only during sleep.
During the first two stages of sleep, we are more likely to be woken up by noises, but it is relatively easy to fall back asleep. In these stages, we can hear and process sounds in our sleep. We might not remember it in the morning, but our brain is keeping track of the sounds around us. We may even be able to learn new things during these stages. However, if we have hearing loss, we won't hear clearly during the day or night.
As we transition into deep sleep, we stop processing external sounds. Once we reach deep sleep, our brains may even erase from memory whatever sounds we heard during light sleep. During REM sleep, we have increased brain wave activity, but we remain focused on our internal dreams rather than external sounds.
Our sensitivity to noise also plays a role in whether we wake up or continue sleeping. People with higher sensitivity to noise may find it challenging to sleep in a noisy environment. Louder sounds are more likely to wake us up, and we are more likely to wake up to sounds our brain interprets as important, such as our name being called.
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Your brain processes sound
During light sleep, you can hear and process sounds, and your brain decides which sounds to pay attention to. A study found that participants could process words they heard during a short nap before reaching deep sleep. However, once they entered deep sleep, they couldn't recall what they had heard.
Another study mimicked the "cocktail party problem," where participants heard two voices: one speaking sentences and the other, gibberish. Researchers found that even while sleeping, participants paid more attention to the meaningful voice. This suggests that our brains continue to process sounds and filter out irrelevant information while we sleep.
During deep sleep, the brain disconnects from the outside world, and you are less likely to be disturbed by noises. However, certain sounds can still wake you up, indicating that our brains continue to process sounds to some extent, even during deep sleep.
REM sleep is associated with increased brain activity and dreaming. While you may not consciously process external sounds during this stage, your brain still maintains a slight awareness of the outside world.
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You can learn new things while sleeping
Sleep is essential for health and healing, and it boosts your immune system. During sleep, your brain is far from idle, and it continues to process sounds and pay attention to certain noises in your environment. While you can learn new things while sleeping, the type of learning that occurs is basic and implicit. For example, a 2012 study found that people can learn to associate sounds with odors during sleep. In this study, participants heard a tone while simultaneously smelling a spoiled fish odor. When awake, upon hearing the tone, participants held their breath in anticipation of the bad smell. This demonstrates that humans can form new memories during sleep.
Research has also shown that the human brain can absorb information during sleep and remember it when awake. In one study, participants were played made-up word pairs, such as "guga" for "elephant." After waking up, participants performed better than chance when they had to select the correct translation of made-up words in a multiple-choice test. However, this type of learning is not explicit, and individuals are not consciously aware of the knowledge. While it may be possible to familiarize oneself with the tone and accent of a language during sleep, learning a new language is much more challenging and requires conscious effort and engagement.
During the first two stages of sleep, individuals are more likely to be awakened by noises, but they can also learn new things during these stages. As sleep progresses into deeper stages, the brain begins to ignore external sounds and focuses on internal dreams and memory consolidation. During REM sleep, brain activity increases, but individuals are still not processing external sounds. While it is possible to learn implicitly during sleep, it is not a substitute for conscious learning, and it is essential to get a good night's rest without interruption.
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Hearing loss can cause insomnia
While sleeping, our ears continue to hear and our brains process sounds. During the first two stages of sleep, we are more likely to be awakened by surrounding noises, but it is relatively easy to fall back asleep. However, during the last two stages of deeper REM sleep, noises that arouse us can be more detrimental, and it becomes harder to fall back asleep. Our brains pay attention to certain sounds even during sleep, and we can wake up almost immediately when we hear strange sounds.
Obstructive sleep apnea, a condition where breathing temporarily stops during sleep, has been linked to hearing loss. Sleep apnea affects blood flow to the inner ear, potentially causing cochlea inflammation and contributing to hearing loss. Sleep deprivation can also exacerbate hearing loss by impacting central auditory processing, making it harder to discern between sounds.
Tinnitus, a disease affecting 15-20% of the population, is a significant factor in sleep disruption for those with hearing loss. Sleep deprivation negatively impacts tinnitus symptoms, leading to a cycle of worsening sleep loss and tinnitus. Exposure to excessive noise in the workplace has been linked to both hearing loss and sleep impairment, with noise-induced hearing loss being the most common long-term effect.
While the exact relationship between hearing loss and insomnia requires further exploration, there is a clear association between the two. Interventions for insomnia, such as hypnotic medications, can help break the cycle and improve sleep quality for those with hearing loss.
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Sleep issues can contribute to hearing loss
Sleep is critical for health and healing. However, sleep issues can contribute to hearing loss. Studies have shown a link between hearing loss and sleep problems. Poor sleep quality is associated with an increased risk of hearing loss. Researchers in China discovered that napping for 5-30 minutes in the afternoon lowered the risk of hearing loss in middle-aged and older adults, while inadequate sleep at night raised the risk.
Hearing impairment (HI) is the most common sensory impairment and may negatively impact sleep through reduced auditory input. Participants with HI reported poorer sleep, more frequent awakenings, and difficulty returning to sleep if awoken. Sleep deprivation has been linked to reduced brain function, especially central auditory processing. Hard of hearing people must work harder to discern between sounds, a skill that requires core auditory processing. Listening fatigue can be exacerbated by a lack of sleep, as the ears have less time to recuperate during a healthy night's sleep.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a health condition that occurs when the throat tissues relax during sleep, blocking the upper airway and reducing or stopping airflow. OSA reduces oxygen in the blood, injuring the cells responsible for hearing in the inner ear. Combined with repeated awakenings during the night, this can lead to hearing loss.
Additionally, people who are deaf or hard of hearing frequently experience insomnia. Studies show that two-thirds of patients with hearing loss have insomnia. Psychological distress, such as anxiety regarding communication in daily life, could be a contributing factor. Mood disorders may also be a reason for sleep problems, as rates of depression are high among people with acquired hearing loss.
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Frequently asked questions
While your ears continue to hear sounds when you sleep, your brain acts as a filter and decides whether to wake you up or let you continue sleeping.
No. During the first two stages of sleep, you are more likely to be woken up by sounds. However, during deep sleep, you stop processing external sounds.
During deep sleep, the brain disconnects from the outside world and consolidates memories from the day. You are less likely to be disturbed by noises in the environment.
During REM sleep, you often start dreaming. While brain activity is high during this stage, you still do not process external sounds.
