Tinnitus: Nasa Research

When astronauts work on the space station they often experience irregular sleep patterns and sleep deprivation that is similar to what chronic tinnitus sufferers experience every day. The results can be memory loss, inability to effectively multi-task, grogginess, etc. I believe that tinnitus sufferers can benefit from the research that Nasa is conducting.

Nasa is studying napping and its affects on the brain. I cannot imagine anyone saying to a supervisor, "I'm going to have to go take a nap. I'll be back in a few hours." But that may be exactly what the chronic severe tinnitus sufferer must do in order to work safely and effectively.

If a tinnitus sufferer does not get eight hours of sleep per night, because of the tinnitus, then the sufferer has to catch sleep as he or she can, in the form of naps. Naps may be an effective stop-gap measure in the fight against debilitation.

Granted, many people do not get eight to nine hours of sleep per night and are still able to work safely and effectively. However, lack of sleep combined with the continual loud sound of the tinnitus can lead to serious health, work and relationship issues.

Napping may be a treatment recommendation that very few medical professionals have considered. Yet it may yield some of the greatest results. There are social stigmas attached to the idea of napping. Those stigmas need to go away. Although it may sound laughable, Nasa is taking napping very seriously. I believe that we should too. The science behind napping is compelling and sound.

Here is a link to the Nasa research study: 

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2005/03jun_naps/