Snore-Gonomics - Snoring

Snore Wars

Casualties of Snore Wars

“Second hand” snoring (by someone sleeping near you) may have a harmful effect on your hearing, says Dr. André Tan, Otolaryngology. His findings, from a pilot study conducted with medical student Maya Sardesai, Meds’02, and respirologist Michael Fitzpatrick, were published recently in the Journal of Otolaryngology.

Since snoring has been recorded at the decibel levels of a jet plane or a jackhammer, the researchers wondered if someone exposed to this nightly irritant might show the same pattern of hearing loss as that experienced in industrial settings. They selected four couples for the study, excluding any snorers whose partners had prior exposure to excessive noise levels, or who had previously identified any hearing loss in themselves.

All four partners were found to have the pattern of hearing loss associated with noise exposure (rather than degeneration from aging). As well, all had one ear that was worse than the other - on the side facing their snoring spouse.

“This preliminary study shows that second-hand snoring may cause noise-induced hearing loss similar to the pattern of industrial hearing loss,” says Dr. Tan. Combined with evidence from past studies that partners may also suffer sleep fragmentation, this could be a warning signal that sleeping near a snorer is a potential health hazard, he adds.

How loud?

The noise level of snoring averages 60 decibels, and can approach 80 or 90 decibels. Sixty decibels is the noise level of normal speech. Eighty decibels is equivalent to the noise of a vacuum cleaner. A noise over 85 decibels is considered hazardous to your ears, and 90 decibels is as loud as a passing freight train. (HelpGuide.org)

Eileen and Rob

Eileen’s husband, Rob, snores very loudly, often wakes her up and keeps her awake. Even more frustratingly, Rob sleeps soundly despite the awful noise he makes. Finally, she decides to sleep in the guest room to avoid the snoring problem. Eileen gets her full night’s sleep, but she misses having Rob’s body next to her, and their nightly chats. Rob is also moping around, feeling hurt and confused. He can’t understand why his snoring is such a problem - after all, it never wakes him up. Sound familiar?

“Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone.” - Anthony Burgess