For people who deal with tinnitus, air travel can be a source of anxiety, as the flight may exacerbate their ear discomfort, adding to the usual pre-trip jitters about getting to their final destination. The boosted noise inside the airplane, variations in air pressure, and the stress related to flying can all result in a worsening or more disturbing experience of tinnitus. Luckily, recognizing how flying affects your ears and learning ways to prepare can make your next journey far more manageable.
What causes tinnitus to worsen in high-elevation settings?
Tinnitus is the apprehension of sound without any external source. For some, it presents as a relentless ringing, while other people might hear buzzing, clicking, whooshing, or static-like sounds.
Tinnitus is often a warning sign of a deeper health problem or hidden condition, 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 activate or worsen tinnitus.
- Some medications can be ototoxic to the inner ear, triggering or worsening hearing and balance issues.
- Benign Tumors: Growths including acoustic neuromas might impact hearing and balance.
Tinnitus could 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 people, resulting in a more distressing experience during flights.
Exploring the connection between airplane ear and tinnitus
“Airplane ear” is a term used to describe the feeling of fullness, pressure, or muted hearing that often accompanies flying. The issue occurs when the eustachian tubes, in charge of sustaining ear pressure, have trouble adapting to going up or down. Insufficient opening of these tubes may create pressure differences to arise, leading to discomfort or pain.
People experiencing tinnitus might find that this pressure inconsistency worsens their existing symptoms or activates new ones. The anxiety and sensory stimulation of air travel can increase the problem.
Why flying can exacerbate tinnitus symptoms
Several elements of air travel may worsen tinnitus:
- Jet Engine Noise: High volume levels inside the cabin, particularly near the engines, can intensify sensitivity in the ears and exacerbate tinnitus.
- Pressure Changes: During takeoff and landing, the quick changes in cabin pressure can impact how the eardrum and surrounding structures vibrate, which may activate or heighten tinnitus.
- Travel-related anxiety, combined with not enough rest or insufficient hydration, can exacerbate the sensation of tinnitus, making it seem more pronounced and bothersome.
Travel suggestions for decreasing tinnitus discomfort mid-flight
By putting a few easy safeguards into your flight routine, you can significantly reduce the discomfort and pressure in your ears during air travel.
- Wearing noise-canceling headphones can greatly minimize the disruptive sounds of the plane’s engine, especially during the loud periods of departure and arrival. You can also listen to calming music or white noise, which can help conceal the ringing in your ears.
- Select a tactical seating choice: If feasible, opt for a seat towards the front of the plane instead of near the engines. This location is generally calmer and better suited for a tranquil journey.
- Avoid Standard Earplugs: Though tempting, traditional earplugs may increase inner ear pressure, making symptoms worse. Instead, consider using plugs that are made for regulating ear pressure during air travel.
- Chew Gum or Swallow Frequently: These actions help keep the eustachian tubes open, allowing pressure to neuturalize more efficiently.
- Take a Decongestant (If Approved by Your Doctor): If you’re battling nasal congestion or allergies, consider using an oral or nasal decongestant prior to flying to avoid 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 adjustement.
In-flight distractions and relaxation solutions
Refocusing one’s attention can be a very effective approach for coping with tinnitus. Bring entertainment options like audiobooks, calming playlists, or puzzles to keep your attention elsewhere. Practicing meditation using apps and doing breathing exercises can decrease anxiety related to flying and reduce your awareness of tinnitus.
Before your flight, try to get quality sleep and stay hydrated. Avoiding caffeine or alcohol on the day of travel may also help lessen symptoms associated with the ears. If you depend on hearing aids, think about wearing them during your flight – they can help restore 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 speaking with a hearing specialist. A detailed evaluation can pinpoint the hidden reason for your tinnitus and bring about specific suggestions, including personalized coping techniques or treatment plans, to better control instances of increased symptoms.
Schedule an assessment for your tinnitus symptoms today.