The Matt Walker Podcast Ask Me Anything Part 24: Tinnitus, SAD, Sleep Divorce, and Vaccines
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Jan 12, 2026 Eti Ben Simon, a clinical sleep researcher, joins to share insights on sleep disorders. They dive into how sleep loss worsens tinnitus and the surprising link between seasonal affective disorder and circadian rhythms. A shocking study reveals that inadequate sleep can cut vaccine-induced antibody production by half! They also discuss the concept of 'sleep divorce' for couples and highlight the crucial role of deep sleep in building immune memory. Tips on optimizing shared sleep arrangements make for a practical, informative conversation.
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Sleep Amplifies Tinnitus Severity
- Tinnitus and sleep have a vicious, bidirectional relationship that amplifies symptoms when you're sleep deprived.
- Objective auditory cortical sensitivity increases after sleep loss, raising perceived tinnitus loudness and distress.
Use CBTI And Sound To Ease Tinnitus Nights
- Try cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) to stabilize sleep and reduce insomnia severity in tinnitus sufferers.
- Consider sound therapy (white/pink noise) at night as a palliative tactic, though high-quality trial evidence is limited.
SAD Is A Circadian And REM Sleep Problem
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) reflects circadian disruption from reduced daytime light and altered melatonin timing.
- SAD commonly changes REM sleep timing and percent, mirroring patterns seen in clinical depression.