"Several years ago, I could sleep on my back without any problem. Unfortunately, not any more. If I try, it becomes at best a nap of 30-45 minutes. 16 naps a night does not equal 8 hrs of good sleep."

PN can mask other symptoms. Waking up all through the night is the number 1 symptom of sleep apnea, I know because I have it

"I would wake up hyperventilating from the heat stress"

Hyperventilating on awakening is a typical sleep apnea symptom as your body struggles to get air back from a blocked throat passage. Im not sure why you would hyperventilate because of PN affected ears ?

Good luck, hope whatever it is gets sorted soon as lack of sleep creates more burning and less sleep, a nasty cycle