For people who experience tinnitus, air travel can be a source of anxiety, as the flight may exacerbate their ear discomfort, adding to the normal pre-trip anxieties about getting to their final destination. The loud cabin noise, shifting air pressure, and stress associated with air travel can all contribute to more intense or irritating tinnitus. Fortunately, recognizing how flying affects your ears and discovering ways to prepare can make your next trip much more manageable.
What is tinnitus and why does it surface in the air?
Tinnitus is the experience of hearing sound when there is no existent external sound present. Some individuals experience a constant ringing sound, while others perceive buzzing, clicking, whooshing, or static sounds.
While tinnitus on its own 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.
- Ear Infections or Obstructions: Fluid accumulation and infections can trigger or exacerbate tinnitus.
- Ototoxic Medications: A number of medications can harm the inner ear, resulting in or intensifying symptoms.
- 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 recognized by a medical specialist using specialized listening equipment. When flying, several variables can worsen the symptoms, making travel more unpleasant for those impacted.
Understanding airplane ear and its connection to tinnitus
The term “airplane ear” refers to the sensation of ears being full, under pressure, or experiencing dulled hearing while flying. It happens when the eustachian tubes– which equalize pressure in the middle ear– struggle to adjust to altitude changes during ascent or descent. Inadequate opening of these tubes may cause pressure differences to arise, resulting in discomfort or 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 compound the problem.
How air travel can worsen tinnitus symptoms
Air travel can worsen tinnitus symptoms because of several factors.
- Loud jet engine sounds inside of the plane can be particularly irritating near the engines, potentially aggravating sensitive ears and exacerbating existing ringing in the ears, or tinnitus.
- Changes in Air Pressure: The sudden changes in air pressure that occur during flight takeoff and landing can interfere with the regular functioning of the eardrum and nearby tissues, potentially causing or exacerbating tinnitus symptoms.
- Travel-related anxiety, coupled with inadequate rest or insufficient hydration, can intensify the sensation of tinnitus, making it seem more pronounced and bothersome.
In-flight techniques to reduce ringing in the ears.
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 greatly decrease the disruptive sounds of the plane’s engine, especially during the noisy periods of departure and arrival. They also allow you to listen to relaxing music or white noise, which may mask tinnitus.
- Choose Your Seat Wisely: If you can, select a seat in the front of the aircraft, further from the engines. This location is generally calmer and better suited for a tranquil journey.
- Steer Clear of Conventional Earplugs: These types of earplugs can potentially intensify the problem by putting added pressure on the inner ear, aggravating existing symptoms. Instead, try ear pressure-regulating earplugs made specifically for air travel.
- Chew Gum: To reduce discomfort, try chewing gum or swallowing regularly, as these basic actions can help sustain the patency of the eustachian tubes, facilitating a more efficient balance of pressure.
- Use a Decongestant: Consider taking a decongestant, either in oral or nasal form, before your flight if your doctor advises it. This can help alleviate nasal congestion and allergies, potentially avoiding any blockages in the eustachian tubes.
- Stay Awake for Takeoff and Landing: Being awake helps your body naturally manage pressure. Sleeping during these moments can decrease the probability of active pressure adjustement.
In-flight distractions and relaxation strategies
Diversion is a potent tool for managing tinnitus. Bring entertainment alternatives like audiobooks, soothing playlists, or puzzles to keep your attention elsewhere. Meditation apps and breathing exercises can also help ease flight-related anxiety and lessen your awareness of 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. If you rely on hearing aids, consider using them during your flight – they can help restore a more natural hearing experience and potentially decrease the impact of any internal ringing or buzzing sounds.
Talk with a professional if tinnitus affects your ability to travel
If you frequently experience discomfort while flying due to tinnitus, it is recommended to seek advice from a specialist in hearing health. A detailed evaluation can identify the underlying reason for your tinnitus and result in specific suggestions, such as individualized coping strategies or treatment plans, to better control instances of increased symptoms.
Arrange a consultation to assess your ringing in the ears symptoms now.