If you cope with tinnitus, going on a plane may bring more than just enthusiasm about your destination– it may also come with worries about intensifying ear symptoms. The loud cabin noise, changing air pressure, and stress associated with air travel can all contribute to more extreme or bothersome tinnitus. Luckily, understanding how flying impacts your ears and discovering ways to prepare can make your next journey far more manageable.
What causes tinnitus to worsen in high-elevation environments?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound without any external source. Some individuals experience a continuous ringing sound, while others perceive buzzing, clicking, whooshing, or static noises.
While tinnitus itself isn’t a disease, it’s often a symptom of an underlying 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 exacerbated by fluid accumulation and infections in the ears.
- Some medications can be ototoxic to the inner ear, triggering or worsening hearing and balance problems.
- Benign Tumors: Growths including acoustic neuromas might impact hearing and balance.
Tinnitus can be perceived in two ways: as a personal experience that only the individual can hear, or as a sound that can be detected by a medical professional utilizing specialized listening devices. When flying, a number of factors can intensify the symptoms, making travel more unpleasant for those impacted.
Understanding airplane ear and its link to tinnitus
The term “airplane ear” describes the feeling of ears being full, under pressure, or experiencing muted hearing while flying. It occurs when the eustachian tubes– which regulate pressure in the middle ear– working to adjust to altitude changes during take of and landing. If these tubes fail to open efficiently, pressure discrepancies can develop, causing discomfort or even 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
Air travel can aggravate tinnitus symptoms due to various factors.
- Loud jet engine noise inside of the plane can be particularly irritating close to the engines, potentially aggravating sensitive ears and exacerbating existing ringing in the ears, or tinnitus.
- Changes in Air Pressure: The abrupt shifts in air pressure that happen during flight takeoff and landing can disrupt the normal functioning of the eardrum and nearby tissues, possibly causing or worsening tinnitus symptoms.
- Stress and Exhaustion: The anxiety of travel, combined with poor sleep or dehydration, can increase your experience of tinnitus and cause it to feel more intrusive.
In-flight strategies to alleviate ringing in the ears.
By working a few easy precautions into your flight routine, you can substantially reduce the discomfort and pressure in your ears during air travel.
- Using noise-canceling headphones can greatly decrease the distracting sounds of the plane’s engine, particularly during the noisy periods of departure and arrival. They also allow you to listen to relaxing music or white noise, which can mask tinnitus.
- Choose Your Seat Wisely: If you can, select a seat in the front of the plane, away from the engines. This location tends to be quieter and more conducive to a peaceful flight.
- Stay Clear Of Standard Earplugs: Though tempting, conventional earplugs might increase inner ear pressure, making symptoms more severe. As an alternative, try ear pressure-regulating earplugs designed specifically for air travel.
- Chew Gum: To alleviate discomfort, try chewing gum or swallowing frequently, as these simple actions can help sustain the patency of the eustachian tubes, facilitating a more effective balance of pressure.
- Use a Decongestant: Think about 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. Sleeping during these moments can reduce the probability of active pressure equalization.
Techniques for remaining relaxed and entertained during a flight
Refocusing one’s attention can be a highly effective strategy for coping 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 associated with flying and decrease your focus on tinnitus.
Prior to your trip, be sure to rest well and stay hydrated. Skipping caffeine or alcohol on travel day can also reduce ear-related symptoms. And if you wear hearing aids, don’t hesitate to wear them on the plane– they might help you hear more naturally, reducing the dominance of the internal ringing or buzzing.
Seek professional advice if tinnitus disrupts travel
If you frequently experience discomfort while flying due to tinnitus, it is advisable to seek advice from a professional in hearing health. A comprehensive assessment can identify the underlying cause of your tinnitus and result in targeted advice– including custom travel solutions or treatment options to deal with flare-ups more effectively.
Set up an assessment for your tinnitus symptoms today.