For people who deal with tinnitus, air travel can be a source of stress, as the flight may exacerbate their ear discomfort, enhancing the normal pre-trip anxieties about reaching their final destination. The increased noise inside the airplane, variations in air pressure, and the stress associated with flying can all result in a worsening or more bothersome experience of tinnitus. Fortunately, understanding how flying affects your ears and learning ways to prepare can make your next journey far more manageable.
What is tinnitus and why does it flare up in the air?
Tinnitus is the apprehension of sound without any external source. Some people experience a constant 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 health concerns such as:
- Inner Ear Damage: Exposure to loud noises or head trauma can damage the auditory system.
- Blockages or Infection: Tinnitus can be triggered or intensified by fluid build-up and infections in the ears.
- Ototoxic Medicines: Certain medications can harm the inner ear, leading to or aggravating symptoms.
- Benign Tumors: Acoustic neuromas are benign tumors that can affect both hearing and balance.
Tinnitus may be subjective (heard only by the patient) or objective (audible to a specialist through a stethoscope-like device). When flying, several factors can intensify the symptoms, making travel more unpleasant for those impacted.
Exploring the link between airplane ear and tinnitus
“Airplane ear” is a phrase used to define the feeling of fullness, pressure, or muffled hearing that frequently accompanies flying. The issue arises when the eustachian tubes, responsible for sustaining ear pressure, have trouble adjusting to going up or down. If these tubes fail to open effectively, pressure discrepancies can develop, causing discomfort or even pain.
For people who cope with tinnitus, this pressure imbalance can amplify their symptoms or present new ones. The additional stress and sensory overload of a flight only magnify the problem.
Why flying can aggravate tinnitus symptoms
Several elements of air travel might worsen tinnitus:
- Loud jet engine noise inside of the aircraft can be especially bothersome near the engines, potentially irritating sensitive ears and exacerbating existing ringing in the ears, or tinnitus.
- Pressure Changes: During takeoff and landing, the quick changes in cabin pressure can affect how the eardrum and surrounding structures vibrate, which might trigger or heighten tinnitus.
- Travel-related stress, combined with inadequate rest or insufficient hydration, can intensify the sensation of tinnitus, making it seem more obvious and troublesome.
Travel suggestions for reducing tinnitus discomfort mid-flight
By putting a few easy precautions into your flight routine, you can considerably reduce the discomfort and pressure in your ears during air travel.
- Use Noise-Canceling Headphones: These can significantly reduce background engine noise, especially during takeoff and landing. They also allow you to listen to relaxing music or white noise, which can mask tinnitus.
- Opt for a strategic seating option: If possible, select a seat towards the front of the plane rather than near the engines. This spot tends to be quieter and more conducive to a peaceful flight.
- Stay Away From Conventional Earplugs: These types of earplugs can potentially intensify the problem by putting added pressure on the inner ear, aggravating existing symptoms. Instead, consider utilizing plugs that are produced for controling ear pressure during air travel.
- Chew Gum or Swallow Regularly: These actions help keep the eustachian tubes open up, allowing pressure to neuturalize more efficiently.
- Take a Decongestant (If Approved by Your Doctor): If you’re battling nasal congestion or allergies, think about using an oral or nasal decongestant prior to flying to avoid obstructions 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.
In-flight distractions and relaxation solutions
Redirecting one’s attention can be a highly effective approach for dealing with tinnitus. Bring entertainment options like audiobooks, soothing playlists, or puzzles to keep your focus elsewhere. Meditation apps and breathing exercises can also help ease flight-related stress and reduce your awareness of tinnitus.
Prior to your journey, be sure to rest well and stay hydrated. Avoiding caffeine or alcohol on the day of travel might also help lessen symptoms associated with the ears. And if you use hearing aids, don’t hesitate to use them on the plane– they may help you hear more naturally, decreasing the prominence of the internal ringing or buzzing.
Get professional advice if tinnitus disrupts travel
If you frequently experience discomfort while flying because of tinnitus, it is recommended to get advice from a specialist in hearing health. A thorough evaluation can identify the root cause of your tinnitus and result in targeted advice– including custom travel solutions or treatment options to deal with flare-ups more effectively.
Arrange a consultation to evaluate your ringing in the ears symptoms now.
