For individuals who experience tinnitus, air travel can be a source of stress, 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 related to air travel can all add to more extreme or bothersome tinnitus. Fortunately, recognizing how flying affects your ears and discovering ways to prepare can make your next journey much 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 continuous ringing sound, while others perceive buzzing, clicking, whooshing, or static noises.
While tinnitus itself isn’t a disease, it’s frequently a symptom of an underlying issue including:
- Inner Ear Damage: Exposure to loud sounds or head trauma can weaken the auditory system.
- Obstructions or Infection: Tinnitus can be triggered or exacerbated by fluid accumulation and infections in the ears.
- Ototoxic Medicines: Certain drugs can harm the inner ear, resulting in or aggravating symptoms.
- Benign Tumors: Growths including acoustic neuromas may impact hearing and balance.
Tinnitus may be subjective (experienced only by the patient) or objective (audible to a specialist through a stethoscope-like device). Air travel can worsen symptoms for some people, leading to a more distressing experience during flights.
Exploring the link between airplane ear and tinnitus
The term “airplane ear” refers to the feeling of ears being full, under pressure, or experiencing dulled hearing while flying. The issue arises when the eustachian tubes, in charge of maintaining ear pressure, have trouble adjusting to going up or down. If these tubes don’t open efficiently, pressure imbalances can develop, leading to discomfort or even pain.
For people with tinnitus, this pressure imbalance can intensify their symptoms or introduce new ones. The anxiety and sensory stimulation of air travel can increase the problem.
Why flying can aggravate tinnitus symptoms
A number of elements of air travel might worsen tinnitus:
- Jet Engine Noise: High volume levels inside the cabin, especially near the engines, can intensify sensitivity in the ears and worsen tinnitus.
- Pressure Alterations: During takeoff and landing, the rapid changes in cabin pressure can impact how the eardrum and surrounding structures vibrate, which might activate or heighten tinnitus.
- Stress and Fatigue: The anxiety of travel, combined with lack of sleep or dehydration, can increase your perception of tinnitus and cause it to feel more intrusive.
Travel suggestions for decreasing tinnitus discomfort mid-flight
By putting a few easy precautions into your flight routine, you can substantially decrease the discomfort and pressure in your ears during air travel.
- Use Noise-Canceling Headphones: These can dramatically reduce ambient engine noise, particularly during takeoff and landing. They also allow you to listen to soothing music or white noise, which can mask tinnitus.
- Opt for a strategic seating option: If feasible, opt for a seat towards the front of the plane rather than near the engines. This location is generally calmer and better suited for a relaxing journey.
- Avoid Standard Earplugs: Though tempting, conventional earplugs might increase inner ear pressure, making symptoms more severe. Instead, consider utilizing plugs that are made for controling ear pressure during air travel.
- Chew Gum or Swallow Regularly: These actions help keep the eustachian tubes open up, allowing pressure to equalize more efficiently.
- Use a Decongestant: Think about using a decongestant, either in oral or nasal form, before your flight if your doctor advises 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. Sleeping during these moments can reduce the probability of active pressure equalization.
In-flight distractions and relaxation solutions
Refocusing one’s attention can be a highly effective approach for dealing with 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 stress and reduce your awareness of tinnitus.
Before your flight, aim to get quality sleep 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 may help you hear more naturally, decreasing the prominence of the internal ringing or buzzing.
Seek professional guidance if tinnitus disrupts travel
If you regularly experience discomfort while flying because of tinnitus, it is recommended to get advice from a professional in hearing health. A thorough assessment can determine the underlying cause of your tinnitus and result in targeted recommendations– including custom travel strategies or treatment options to deal with flare-ups more successfully.
Arrange a consultation to evaluate your ringing in the ears symptoms now.