If you live with tinnitus, going on a plane may bring more than just enthusiasm about your destination– it may also come with concerns about worsening ear symptoms. The boosted noise inside the airplane, fluctuations in air pressure, and the stress associated with flying can all lead to a worsening or more disturbing experience of tinnitus. Luckily, recognizing how flying impacts your ears and learning ways to prepare can make your next journey far 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 people, it presents as a relentless ringing, while other people may hear buzzing, clicking, whooshing, or static-like noise.
Tinnitus is frequently an indicator of a deeper health issue or underlying condition, including:
- Inner Ear Damage: Exposure to loud sounds or head trauma can weaken the auditory system.
- Blockages or Infection: Tinnitus can be activated or exacerbated by fluid build-up and infections in the ears.
- Ototoxic Medicines: Certain drugs can harm the inner ear, resulting in or intensifying symptoms.
- Benign Tumors: Growths like acoustic neuromas may affect hearing and balance.
Tinnitus can be perceived in two ways: as a personal experience that only the person can hear, or as a sound that can be recognized by a medical professional using specialized listening devices. When flying, several variables can intensify the symptoms, making travel more unpleasant for those impacted.
Understanding airplane ear and its connection to tinnitus
“Airplane ear” is a phrase used to describe the feeling of fullness, pressure, or muffled hearing that often accompanies flying. The issue occurs when the eustachian tubes, in charge of maintaining ear pressure, have trouble adapting to going up or down. Inadequate opening of these tubes might create pressure differences to arise, leading to discomfort or pain.
For people with tinnitus, this pressure imbalance can amplify their symptoms or introduce new ones. The stress and sensory stimulation of air travel can exacerbate the problem.
Why flying can aggravate tinnitus symptoms
A number of elements of air travel may intensify tinnitus:
- Loud jet engine noise within the aircraft can be especially irritating near the engines, potentially irritating sensitive ears and intensifying existing ringing in the ears, or tinnitus.
- Pressure Changes: During takeoff and landing, the rapid shifts in cabin pressure can affect how the eardrum and surrounding structures vibrate, which may trigger or heighten tinnitus.
- Travel-related stress, combined with not enough rest or insufficient hydration, can intensify the experience of tinnitus, making it seem more pronounced and troublesome.
In-flight techniques to alleviate ringing in the ears.
By working a few easy precautions into your flight routine, you can considerably reduce the discomfort and pressure in your ears during air travel.
- Using noise-canceling headphones can considerably minimize 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 can mask tinnitus.
- Choose Your Seat Carefully: If you can, select a seat in the front of the aircraft, further from the engines. This area is generally calmer and better suited for a relaxing journey.
- Stay Clear Of Standard Earplugs: Though tempting, conventional earplugs might increase inner ear pressure, making symptoms more severe. Instead, think about utilizing plugs that are made for controling ear pressure during air travel.
- Chew Gum: To reduce discomfort, try chewing gum or swallowing regularly, as these simple actions can help maintain the patency of the eustachian tubes, promoting a more efficient balance of pressure.
- Use a Decongestant: Consider using a decongestant, either in oral or nasal form, before your flight if your doctor recommends it. This can help alleviate nasal congestion and allergies, potentially avoiding any blockages in the eustachian tubes.
- Remain Alert During Ascent and Descent: Staying awake allows your body to naturally adjust to air pressure changes. Resting at these times may decrease the chances of achieving proper pressure balance.
Techniques for remaining calm and entertained during a flight
Refocusing one’s attention can be a very effective approach for coping with tinnitus. Consider diverting your attention with engaging distractions including audiobooks, comforting music, or brain teasers to shift your attention away. Practicing meditation using apps and doing breathing exercises can reduce anxiety related to flying and reduce your focus on tinnitus.
Prior to your journey, make sure to rest well and stay hydrated. Skipping caffeine or alcohol on travel day can also reduce ear-related symptoms. And if you use hearing aids, don’t hesitate to wear them on the plane– they may help you hear more naturally, reducing the dominance of the internal ringing or buzzing.
Get professional advice if tinnitus interferes with travel
If you regularly experience discomfort while flying because of tinnitus, it is advisable to seek advice from a professional in hearing health. A detailed evaluation can identify the underlying reason for your tinnitus and result in specific suggestions, including individualized coping techniques or treatment plans, to better manage instances of increased symptoms.
Set up an evaluation for your tinnitus symptoms today.