If you cope with tinnitus, going on a plane may bring more than just excitement about your destination– it might also come with worries about intensifying ear symptoms. The boosted noise inside the airplane, variations in air pressure, and the anxiety 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 trip much more manageable.
What causes tinnitus to intensify in high-elevation settings?
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 on its own isn’t a disease, it’s often a symptom of a hidden issue including:
- Inner Ear Damage: Exposure to loud noises or head trauma can weaken the auditory system.
- Ear Infections or Blockages: Fluid accumulation and infections can trigger or worsen tinnitus.
- Some medications can be ototoxic to the inner ear, triggering or aggravating hearing and balance problems.
- Benign Tumors: Growths including acoustic neuromas might affect hearing and balance.
Tinnitus may be subjective (heard only by the patient) or objective (audible to a clinician through a stethoscope-like device). Air travel can exacerbate symptoms for some individuals, resulting in a more stressful experience during flights.
Understanding airplane ear and its connection to tinnitus
“Airplane ear” is a phrase used to describe the sensation of fullness, pressure, or muffled hearing that often accompanies flying. The problem arises when the eustachian tubes, responsible for maintaining ear pressure, have difficulty adjusting to going up or down. Insufficient opening of these tubes may cause pressure imbalances to arise, leading to discomfort or pain.
People experiencing tinnitus may find that this pressure inconsistency exacerbates their existing symptoms or triggers new ones. The additional stress and sensory overload of a flight only compound the problem.
Why flying can aggravate tinnitus symptoms
Air travel can aggravate tinnitus symptoms due to various factors.
- Jet Engine Noise: High decibel levels inside the cabin, especially near the engines, can intensify sensitivity in the ears and worsen tinnitus.
- Shifts in Air Pressure: The abrupt changes in air pressure that occur during flight takeoff and landing can disrupt the regular functioning of the eardrum and nearby tissues, potentially causing or worsening tinnitus symptoms.
- Stress and Fatigue: The anxiety of travel, combined with poor sleep or dehydration, can increase your perception of tinnitus and cause it to feel more disruptive.
In-flight techniques to alleviate ringing in the ears.
By putting 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 greatly minimize the distracting sounds of the plane’s engine, especially during the noisy periods of departure and arrival. You can also listen to calming music or white noise, which can help conceal the ringing in your ears.
- Choose Your Seat Wisely: If available, select a seat in the front of the aircraft, away from the engines. This location is typically calmer and better suited for a relaxing journey.
- Steer Clear of Standard Earplugs: These types of earplugs can potentially intensify the issue by putting additional pressure on the inner ear, worsening existing symptoms. Instead, try ear pressure-regulating earplugs designed specifically for air travel.
- Chew Gum or Swallow Regularly: These actions help keep the eustachian tubes open up, allowing pressure to neuturalize more effectively.
- Use a Decongestant: Consider taking a decongestant, either in oral or nasal form, before your flight if your physician recommends it. This can help reduce nasal congestion and allergies, potentially avoiding any 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 remaining calm and entertained during a flight
Redirecting one’s attention can be a very effective approach for dealing with tinnitus. Consider diverting your attention with engaging distractions such as audiobooks, comforting music, or brain teasers to shift your focus away. Meditation apps and breathing exercises can also help ease flight-related stress and reduce your awareness of tinnitus.
Before your flight, aim to get quality rest and stay hydrated. Avoiding caffeine or alcohol on the day of travel might also help lessen symptoms associated with the ears. If you rely on hearing aids, think about wearing them during your flight – they can help recover a more natural hearing experience and potentially minimize the effect of any internal ringing or buzzing sounds.
Get professional advice if tinnitus interferes with travel
If tinnitus regularly makes flying uncomfortable, it’s worth consulting with a hearing specialist. A detailed evaluation can pinpoint the hidden 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.