If you live with tinnitus, boarding a plane might cause more than just enthusiasm about your destination– it might also come with concerns about intensifying ear symptoms. The increased noise inside the airplane, variations in air pressure, and the stress associated with flying can all result in a worsening or more disturbing experience of tinnitus. Luckily, understanding 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 apprehension of sound without any external source. Some people experience a continuous ringing sound, while others perceive buzzing, clicking, whooshing, or static noises.
Tinnitus is often an indicator of a deeper health issue or underlying condition, including:
- Hearing Loss: Traumatic head injuries or prolonged exposure to extreme sound levels can harm the delicate structures of the inner ear.
- Ear Infections or Obstructions: Fluid buildup and infections can activate or worsen tinnitus.
- Ototoxic Medicines: Certain drugs can harm the inner ear, leading to 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 person can hear, or as a sound that can be recognized by a medical specialist utilizing specialized listening equipment. Air travel can exacerbate symptoms for some individuals, resulting in a more stressful experience during flights.
Exploring the link between airplane ear and tinnitus
The term “airplane ear” refers to the sensation of ears being full, under pressure, or experiencing muted hearing when flying. It happens when the eustachian tubes– which equalize pressure in the middle ear– struggle to adjust to altitude changes during take of and landing. Insufficient opening of these tubes might cause pressure differences to arise, leading to discomfort or pain.
For people with tinnitus, this pressure imbalance can amplify their symptoms or present new ones. The added stress and sensory overload of a flight only magnify the problem.
Why flying can aggravate tinnitus symptoms
Several elements of air travel might intensify tinnitus:
- Jet Engine Noise: High volume levels inside the cabin, especially 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 might trigger or heighten tinnitus.
- Travel-related anxiety, coupled with not enough rest or insufficient hydration, can exacerbate the experience of tinnitus, making it seem more pronounced and bothersome.
In-flight techniques to alleviate ringing in the ears.
Taking a few basic actions can go a long way toward relieving the strain on your ears during air travel:
- Using noise-canceling headphones can greatly minimize the disruptive sounds of the plane’s engine, especially during the loud periods of departure and arrival. They also allow you to listen to calming music or white noise, which may mask tinnitus.
- Choose Your Seat Carefully: If available, pick a seat in the front of the aircraft, away from the engines. This area is typically calmer and better suited for a tranquil journey.
- Stay Away From Standard Earplugs: These types of earplugs can possibly exacerbate the issue by putting additional pressure on the inner ear, aggravating existing symptoms. As an alternative, 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 doctor recommends it. This can help alleviate nasal congestion and allergies, potentially preventing any blockages in the eustachian tubes.
- Stay Awake for Takeoff and Landing: Being awake helps your body naturally regulate pressure. Resting at these times may decrease the chances of achieving proper pressure balance.
In-flight distractions and relaxation solutions
Refocusing one’s attention can be a very effective strategy for coping with tinnitus. Bring entertainment options like audiobooks, soothing playlists, or puzzles to keep your attention elsewhere. Meditation apps and breathing exercises can also help alleviate flight-related stress and reduce your awareness of tinnitus.
Prior to your journey, make sure to rest well and stay hydrated. Skipping caffeine or alcohol on travel day can also decrease ear-related symptoms. If you rely on hearing aids, think about wearing them during your flight – they can help restore a more natural hearing experience and potentially decrease the effect of any internal ringing or buzzing sounds.
Get professional advice if tinnitus disrupts travel
If tinnitus regularly makes flying unpleasant, it’s worth speaking with a hearing specialist. A detailed evaluation can identify the hidden 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 evaluation for your tinnitus symptoms today.