If you live with tinnitus, going on a plane might bring more than just enthusiasm about your destination– it might also come with worries about intensifying ear symptoms. The loud cabin noise, shifting air pressure, and tension related to air travel can all contribute to more intense or bothersome tinnitus. Fortunately, understanding how flying impacts your ears and discovering ways to prepare can make your next trip much more manageable.
What causes tinnitus to worsen in high-elevation settings?
Tinnitus is the experience of hearing sound when there is no actual external sound present. Some individuals experience a continuous ringing sound, while others perceive buzzing, clicking, whooshing, or static sounds.
Tinnitus is often a warning sign of a deeper health issue or underlying condition, including:
- Inner Ear Damage: Exposure to loud noises or head trauma can damage the auditory system.
- Obstructions or Infection: Tinnitus can be triggered or exacerbated by fluid accumulation and infections in the ears.
- Some medications can be ototoxic to the inner ear, causing or aggravating hearing and balance issues.
- Benign Tumors: Acoustic neuromas are benign tumors that can affect both hearing and balance.
Tinnitus may be subjective (experienced only by the patient) or objective (audible to a specialist through a stethoscope-like device). When flying, several variables can intensify the symptoms, making travel more unpleasant for those affected.
Understanding airplane ear and its connection to tinnitus
The term “airplane ear” refers to the feeling of ears being full, under pressure, or experiencing muted hearing while flying. The problem arises when the eustachian tubes, in charge of maintaining ear pressure, have trouble adapting to going up or down. Insufficient opening of these tubes may cause pressure differences to arise, resulting in discomfort or pain.
People who have tinnitus may find that this pressure discrepancy exacerbates their existing symptoms or activates new ones. The anxiety and sensory stimulation of air travel can increase the issue.
How air travel can intensify tinnitus symptoms
Several elements of air travel may worsen tinnitus:
- Jet Engine Noise: High decibel levels inside the cabin, particularly near the engines, can intensify sensitivity in the ears and worsen tinnitus.
- Pressure Changes: During takeoff and landing, the quick changes in cabin pressure can impact how the eardrum and surrounding structures vibrate, which might trigger or heighten tinnitus.
- Travel-related stress, coupled with not enough rest or insufficient hydration, can exacerbate the experience of tinnitus, making it seem more obvious and bothersome.
Travel tips for reducing tinnitus discomfort mid-flight
By putting a few easy precautions into your flight routine, you can dramatically decrease the discomfort and pressure in your ears during air travel.
- Wearing noise-canceling headphones can considerably decrease the distracting sounds of the plane’s engine, especially during the loud periods of departure and arrival. You can also listen to relaxing music or white noise, which can help conceal the ringing in your ears.
- Choose Your Seat Wisely: If you can, pick a seat in the front of the plane, further from the engines. This area is typically calmer and better suited for a tranquil journey.
- Steer Clear of Standard Earplugs: These types of earplugs can possibly intensify the problem by putting added pressure on the inner ear, worsening existing symptoms. Instead, try ear pressure-regulating earplugs made specifically for air travel.
- Chew Gum: To alleviate discomfort, try chewing gum or swallowing frequently, as these basic actions can help sustain the patency of the eustachian tubes, promoting a more effective balance of pressure.
- Take a Decongestant (If Authorized by Your Doctor): If you’re fighting nasal congestion or allergies, consider taking an oral or nasal decongestant before flying to prevent obstructions in the eustachian tubes.
- Stay Awake during Takeoff and Landing: Being awake helps your body naturally manage pressure. Sleeping during these times can reduce the probability of active pressure equalization.
Techniques for staying calm and entertained during a flight
Redirecting one’s attention can be a very effective approach for dealing with tinnitus. Consider diverting your attention with stimulating distractions such as audiobooks, calming music, or brain teasers to shift your attention away. Meditation apps and breathing exercises can also help ease flight-related anxiety and reduce your awareness of tinnitus.
Before your flight, try to get quality rest and stay hydrated. Avoiding caffeine or alcohol on travel day can also decrease ear-related symptoms. If you depend on hearing aids, consider using them during your flight – they can help recover a more natural hearing experience and potentially decrease the effect of any internal ringing or buzzing sounds.
Get professional guidance if tinnitus disrupts travel
If you regularly experience discomfort while flying due to tinnitus, it is advisable to seek advice from a specialist in hearing health. A detailed evaluation can identify the hidden reason for your tinnitus and bring about specific recommendations, including personalized coping strategies or treatment plans, to better control instances of increased symptoms.
Arrange a consultation to evaluate your ringing in the ears symptoms now.