Best Bluetooth Pillow Speakers for a Good Night's Sleep with Tinnitus?

[BuzzingBay]

I've been using Sound Oasis pillow speakers pretty successfully lately, with a binaural beats sound designed for sleep. Since my long-time tinnitus has been really loud for the past few months, getting to sleep has been harder more often than not (although I can go back to sleep easily after I wake up in the middle of the night for a pee break or to deal with annoying cats). Due to my constant tight neck and jaw issues, I also sleep with a heating pad set up on my pillow in case I need it, and all the wires are driving me crazy.

Does anyone know of decent pillow speakers (I am trying not to wake my husband with the sounds I need to listen to) that are Bluetooth or otherwise wireless? Most of what I'm finding online is wired, which seems so odd, considering the proliferation of wireless devices for just about everything else.

For the record, I've had tinnitus for close to 5 decades, but it's only gotten bad since I had some involved dental work about 10-11 years ago. I'm almost definite it's not noise induced -- I suspect it's related to my TMJ issues, and possibly to minor whiplash in my teens. It's primarily in my left ear, which is where my TMJ issues seem to be. Since the dental work I mentioned, it's been getting worse and worse, and lately it's getting almost impossible to ignore. I use a Widex hearing aid in my left ear that sometimes helps, but right now it's not doing much. I can ignore the tinnitus somewhat during the day -- I listen to audiobooks a lot -- but at bedtime it's gotten really difficult. I'll keep using the Sound Oasis speakers, because listening to the sleep sounds definitely seems to be helping me to fall asleep, but I'm hoping I can find a wireless pillow speaker solution. I'll try pretty much anything...

 

[AnthonyMcDonald]

I understand it's rough, but have you tried working on falling asleep without masking? I have excruciatingly loud tinnitus (~55-60 dB) and I have no issues falling asleep at the moment, mostly because I got my anxiety under control. Maybe leaving your comfort zone could help you adjust? Just my two cents.

To the actual question - have you tried headphones or earbuds at a very low volume to not disturb your husband? I know that's not really "safe" for your ears, but if the volume is low enough, it shouldn't matter.

 

[Joe Cuber]

I also use a wired pillow speaker. The wire is pretty annoying, I agree. The pillow speaker I have has a blue, furry soft cover, which I really like since I can lay with it right next to my ear with tinnitus (my right ear). I sleep in my back most of the time, so I just prop it next to my ear. What's annoying is that, as I move around in the night, I invariably get tangled up with the wire. Having a wireless speaker would help, but I'd want one that I can prop next to my ear. I hope someone can give you a good recommendation to help with your situation.

Do you put your speaker in your pillow?

 

[BuzzingBay]

I understand it's rough, but have you tried working on falling asleep without masking? I have excruciatingly loud tinnitus (~55-60 dB) and I have no issues falling asleep at the moment, mostly because I got my anxiety under control. Maybe leaving your comfort zone could help you adjust? Just my two cents.

To the actual question - have you tried headphones or earbuds at a very low volume to not disturb your husband? I know that's not really "safe" for your ears, but if the volume is low enough, it shouldn't matter.

I'm not masking, just listening to very quiet almost-music designed to encourage a good night's sleep. Supposedly binaural beats work better with earbuds or headphones, but I've been okay with the pillow speakers. And it's supposed to be played pretty quietly. If I could find wireless earbuds comfortable enough to sleep with, I'd be happy to try them. I just haven't found the right ones yet, at least not at a price point I'm comfortable with.

Do you put your speaker in your pillow?

I pinned my right and left wired speakers to my pillow inside the pillowcase.

 

[Joe Cuber]

Ah, pinning them is a good idea. I'm often knocking mine out of place. I hope you find wireless ones that work for you.

 

[RocketJSquirrel]

Maybe you would like a soft headband style pair of 'phones? I like SleepPhones. I'm a side sleeper and they are comfortable for me.

 

[BuzzingBay]

Maybe you would like a soft headband style pair of 'phones? I like SleepPhones. I'm a side sleeper and they are comfortable for me.

I tried those, but they don't work with my CPAP headgear. I'm stuck with using speakers or, if I could find ones that fit comfortably for sleep, earbuds.

 

[Tweaker]

As already mentioned, you can get wireless headband speakers that work well.

 

[AfroSnowman]

Hearing aids work well. Only time I use them is for sleep.

 

[BuzzingBay]

Hearing aids work well. Only time I use them is for sleep.

I have one hearing aid that I use during the day. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't. It doesn't work as well since the tinnitus got so much louder. I haven't slept with it. I want to use something with which I can listen to soft music or binaural beats for sleeping, not for masking my tinnitus. But maybe I should try sleeping with the hearing aid. Sometimes it irritates my ear, though, and I need to take breaks from it. I'll think about it.

 

[Mister Muso]

Have you tried breathing exercises? I tried various sleep headphones and speakers but I've found by extending the length and depth of my breathing I can be asleep in 5 minutes. You may need to work on doing this quietly to avoid disturbing your husband!

 

[BuzzingBay]

Have you tried breathing exercises? I tried various sleep headphones and speakers but I've found by extending the length and depth of my breathing I can be asleep in 5 minutes. You may need to work on doing this quietly to avoid disturbing your husband!

I've been doing some Alexander Technique exercises, which help, too. But thanks for the suggestion of breathing. I might try that. In truth, I don't always have trouble falling asleep, but I've been finding the music soothing. Plus, I think it's a cue to my brain to focus on an external sound, but maybe focusing on anything -- not a sound -- might do the trick. Worth trying, since we have a trip planned and I won't be bringing a million electronics with me (the CPAP is enough of a PITA).

 

[RocketJSquirrel]

I just came across a new possibility, "Sleepbar". I saw it in a Facebook ad and know nothing else about it, so caveat emptor.

https://dusker.com/products/sonisleep-sleepbar

 

[BuzzingBay]

I just came across a new possibility, "Sleepbar". I saw it in a Facebook ad and know nothing else about it, so caveat emptor.

That looks like it has potential! I'll look into it. Thanks!

 

[RocketJSquirrel]

@BuzzingBay, did you ever find a pillow speaker you like?

 

[BuzzingBay]

@BuzzingBay, did you ever find a pillow speaker you like?

Yes, I'm using these:

Amazon.com: Perytong Headband Headphones, Sleep Headphones Bluetooth Sleeping Headband Wireless Sleeping Headphones Sleep Headband,Soft Headphone Headband for Side Sleepers,Sleeping Gifts for Men Women : Electronics

They are working great.