If you cope with tinnitus, boarding a plane may bring more than just excitement about your destination– it may also come with worries about worsening ear symptoms. The boosted noise inside the airplane, variations in air pressure, and the anxiety associated with flying can all result in a worsening or more disturbing experience of tinnitus. Fortunately, understanding how flying impacts your ears and discovering ways to prepare can make your next journey much more manageable.
What is tinnitus and why does it surface in the air?
Tinnitus is the apprehension of sound without any external source. For some, it presents as a relentless ringing, while other people may hear buzzing, clicking, whooshing, or static-like sounds.
While tinnitus itself isn’t a disease, it’s frequently a symptom of a hidden issue such as:
- Hearing Loss: Traumatic head injuries or prolonged exposure to excessive sound levels can damage the fragile structures of the inner ear.
- Ear Infections or Obstructions: Fluid accumulation and infections can activate or worsen tinnitus.
- Certain medications can be ototoxic to the inner ear, triggering or worsening hearing and balance problems.
- Benign Tumors: Growths including acoustic neuromas may affect 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, a number of factors can intensify the symptoms, making travel more unpleasant for those affected.
Exploring the link between airplane ear and tinnitus
The term “airplane ear” refers to the sensation of ears being full, under pressure, or experiencing muted hearing while flying. The problem arises when the eustachian tubes, in charge of sustaining ear pressure, have difficulty adjusting to going up or down. If these tubes fail to open effectively, pressure imbalances can develop, causing discomfort or even pain.
People who have tinnitus may find that this pressure discrepancy worsens their existing symptoms or activates new ones. The added stress and sensory overload of a flight only magnify the problem.
Why flying can exacerbate tinnitus symptoms
A number of elements of air travel might intensify tinnitus:
- Loud jet engine noise within the aircraft can be particularly irritating close to the engines, potentially irritating sensitive ears and intensifying existing ringing in the ears, or tinnitus.
- Shifts in Air Pressure: The abrupt shifts in air pressure that occur during flight takeoff and landing can disrupt the normal functioning of the eardrum and nearby tissues, potentially causing or worsening tinnitus symptoms.
- Stress and Exhaustion: The stress of travel, combined with lack of sleep or dehydration, can increase your perception of tinnitus and make it feel more disruptive.
Travel suggestions for reducing tinnitus discomfort mid-flight
By working a few easy precautions into your flight routine, you can dramatically reduce the discomfort and pressure in your ears during air travel.
- Wearing noise-canceling headphones can greatly decrease the disruptive sounds of the plane’s engine, particularly during the loud periods of departure and arrival. They also allow you to listen to calming music or white noise, which may mask tinnitus.
- Select a strategic seating option: If possible, go with a seat towards the front of the plane instead of near the engines. This location tends to be quieter and more conducive to a tranquil flight.
- Avoid Standard Earplugs: Though tempting, conventional earplugs may increase inner ear pressure, making symptoms more severe. Alternatively, think about utilizing plugs that are made for controling ear pressure during air travel.
- Chew Gum or Swallow Regularly: These actions help keep the eustachian tubes open, allowing pressure to neuturalize more effectively.
- Take a Decongestant (If Approved by Your Doctor): If you’re fighting nasal congestion or allergies, think about taking an oral or nasal decongestant before flying to prevent blockages in the eustachian tubes.
- Stay Awake during Takeoff and Landing: Being awake helps your body naturally regulate pressure. Sleeping during these times can reduce the likelihood of active pressure adjustement.
In-flight distractions and relaxation strategies
Distraction is a powerful tool for dealing with tinnitus. Bring entertainment alternatives like audiobooks, calming playlists, or puzzles to keep your focus elsewhere. Practicing meditation using apps and doing breathing exercises can reduce anxiety related to flying and reduce your awareness of tinnitus.
Prior to your journey, be sure to rest well and stay hydrated. Skipping caffeine or alcohol on travel day can also reduce ear-related symptoms. If you rely on hearing aids, consider using them during your flight – they can help recover a more natural hearing experience and potentially minimize the effect of any internal ringing or buzzing sounds.
Seek professional advice if tinnitus interferes with travel
If you frequently experience discomfort while flying because of tinnitus, it is advisable to get advice from a professional in hearing health. A thorough evaluation can determine the root cause of your tinnitus and lead to targeted recommendations– including custom travel solutions or treatment options to deal with flare-ups more successfully.
Arrange a consultation to evaluate your ringing in the ears symptoms now.