If you cope with tinnitus, going on a plane may bring more than just enthusiasm about your destination– it might also come with worries about intensifying ear symptoms. The increased noise inside the airplane, variations in air pressure, and the anxiety related to flying can all result in a worsening or more bothersome experience of tinnitus. Fortunately, recognizing how flying impacts your ears and discovering ways to prepare can make your next trip far more manageable.
What causes tinnitus to worsen in high-elevation environments?
Tinnitus is the experience of hearing sound when there is no actual external sound present. Some people experience a constant ringing sound, while others hear buzzing, clicking, whooshing, or static noises.
While tinnitus itself isn’t a disease, it’s often a symptom of a hidden issue including:
- Inner Ear Damage: Exposure to loud sounds or head trauma can damage the auditory system.
- Obstructions or Infection: Tinnitus can be triggered or intensified by fluid build-up and infections in the ears.
- Ototoxic Medications: Certain medications can harm the inner ear, resulting in or intensifying symptoms.
- Benign Tumors: Acoustic neuromas are benign tumors that can impact both hearing and balance.
Tinnitus may be subjective (heard only by the patient) or objective (audible to a clinician through a stethoscope-like device). When flying, a number of factors can worsen the symptoms, making travel more uncomfortable for those affected.
Exploring the connection between airplane ear and tinnitus
“Airplane ear” is a phrase used to describe the feeling of fullness, pressure, or muffled hearing that frequently accompanies flying. The issue occurs when the eustachian tubes, responsible for maintaining ear pressure, have trouble adjusting to going up or down. Inadequate opening of these tubes might create pressure differences to arise, resulting in discomfort or pain.
For people with tinnitus, this pressure imbalance can amplify their symptoms or introduce new ones. The anxiety and sensory stimulation of air travel can increase the problem.
Why flying can exacerbate tinnitus symptoms
Air travel can worsen tinnitus symptoms due to various factors.
- Jet Engine Noise: High volume levels inside the cabin, particularly near the engines, can intensify sensitivity in the ears and exacerbate tinnitus.
- Shifts in Air Pressure: The abrupt shifts in air pressure that occur during flight takeoff and landing can disrupt the regular functioning of the eardrum and nearby tissues, possibly causing or worsening tinnitus symptoms.
- Travel-related anxiety, combined with inadequate rest or insufficient hydration, can exacerbate the sensation of tinnitus, making it seem more obvious and bothersome.
Travel tips for reducing tinnitus discomfort mid-flight
By working a few easy safeguards into your flight routine, you can dramatically decrease the discomfort and pressure in your ears during air travel.
- Using noise-canceling headphones can considerably minimize the distracting 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.
- Choose Your Seat Carefully: If you can, pick a seat in the front of the plane, further from the engines. This location tends to be quieter and more conducive to a peaceful flight.
- Avoid Standard Earplugs: Though tempting, conventional earplugs may increase inner ear pressure, making symptoms worse. As an alternative, try ear pressure-regulating earplugs made specifically for air travel.
- Chew Gum: To reduce discomfort, try chewing gum or swallowing frequently, as these basic actions can help maintain the patency of the eustachian tubes, promoting a more efficient balance of pressure.
- Take a Decongestant (If Approved by Your Doctor): If you’re battling nasal congestion or allergies, think about taking an oral or nasal decongestant prior to flying to avoid blockages in the eustachian tubes.
- Stay Awake during Takeoff and Landing: Being awake helps your body naturally regulate pressure. Resting at these times may decrease the chances of achieving proper pressure balance.
Strategies for staying calm and entertained during a flight
Distraction is a powerful tool for managing tinnitus. Consider diverting your attention with stimulating distractions such as audiobooks, comforting music, or brain teasers to shift your focus away. Practicing meditation using apps and engaging in breathing exercises can decrease anxiety associated with flying and decrease your awareness of tinnitus.
Before your trip, try to get quality sleep and stay hydrated. Avoiding caffeine or alcohol on the day of travel might also help lessen symptoms associated with the ears. If you depend on hearing aids, consider using them during your flight – they can help recover a more natural hearing experience and potentially minimize the impact of any internal ringing or buzzing sounds.
Talk with a specialist if tinnitus affects your ability to travel
If you frequently experience discomfort while flying because of tinnitus, it is advisable to get advice from a specialist in hearing health. A detailed assessment can pinpoint the underlying reason for your tinnitus and bring about specific suggestions, such as 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.