For individuals who experience tinnitus, air travel can be a source of stress, as the flight may exacerbate their ear discomfort, adding to the usual pre-trip jitters about reaching their final destination. The loud cabin noise, changing air pressure, and stress related to air travel can all contribute to more extreme or irritating tinnitus. Fortunately, understanding how flying affects your ears and discovering ways to prepare can make your next journey much more manageable.
What causes tinnitus to intensify in high-elevation environments?
Tinnitus is the apprehension of sound without any external source. For some, it presents as a relentless ringing, while other people may hear buzzing, clicking, whooshing, or static-like sounds.
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 weaken the auditory system.
- Ear Infections or Blockages: Fluid buildup and infections can trigger or worsen tinnitus.
- Certain medications can be ototoxic to the inner ear, triggering or aggravating hearing and balance problems.
- Benign Tumors: Acoustic neuromas are benign tumors that can impact both hearing and balance.
Tinnitus can be perceived in two ways: as a personal experience that only the person can hear, or as a sound that can be detected by a medical professional utilizing specialized listening equipment. When flying, a number of variables can worsen the symptoms, making travel more uncomfortable for those affected.
Understanding airplane ear and its connection to tinnitus
The term “airplane ear” describes the feeling of ears being full, under pressure, or experiencing dulled hearing when flying. It happens when the eustachian tubes– which regulate pressure in the middle ear– struggle to adapt to altitude changes during ascent or descent. Inadequate opening of these tubes might cause pressure differences to arise, leading to discomfort or pain.
Individuals who have tinnitus might find that this pressure discrepancy exacerbates their existing symptoms or triggers new ones. The stress and sensory stimulation of air travel can exacerbate the issue.
How air travel can worsen tinnitus symptoms
A number of elements of air travel may intensify 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 quick changes in cabin pressure can affect how the eardrum and surrounding structures vibrate, which may activate or heighten tinnitus.
- Stress and Fatigue: The stress of travel, combined with lack of sleep or dehydration, can increase your experience of tinnitus and cause it to feel more disruptive.
Travel suggestions for reducing tinnitus discomfort mid-flight
By putting a few easy precautions into your flight routine, you can significantly reduce the discomfort and pressure in your ears during air travel.
- Use Noise-Canceling Headphones: These can substantially reduce ambient engine noise, especially during takeoff and landing. You can also listen to calming music or white noise, which can help conceal the ringing in your ears.
- Choose Your Seat Carefully: If you can, select a seat in the front of the aircraft, away from 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 possibly exacerbate the problem by putting additional pressure on the inner ear, worsening existing symptoms. Instead, think about using plugs that are produced for regulating ear pressure during air travel.
- Chew Gum: To alleviate discomfort, try chewing gum or swallowing frequently, as these basic actions can help sustain the patency of the eustachian tubes, promoting a more efficient balance of pressure.
- Use 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 prevent blockages in the eustachian tubes.
- Remain Awake 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.
Strategies for remaining calm and entertained during a flight
Refocusing one’s attention can be a very effective strategy for dealing with tinnitus. Bring entertainment alternatives like audiobooks, calming playlists, or puzzles to keep your focus elsewhere. Meditation apps and breathing exercises can also help alleviate flight-related stress and reduce your awareness of tinnitus.
Before your trip, try to get quality rest and stay hydrated. Avoiding caffeine or alcohol on travel day can also reduce ear-related symptoms. If you depend on hearing aids, consider wearing them during your flight – they can help restore a more natural hearing experience and potentially minimize the impact of any internal ringing or buzzing sounds.
Seek professional guidance if tinnitus interferes with travel
If you regularly experience discomfort while flying due to tinnitus, it is advisable to seek advice from a professional in hearing health. A detailed assessment can identify the underlying reason for your tinnitus and bring about specific suggestions, such as individualized coping techniques or treatment plans, to better manage instances of increased symptoms.
Set up an assessment for your tinnitus symptoms today.