For individuals who deal with tinnitus, air travel can be a source of anxiety, as the flight may intensify their ear discomfort, enhancing the normal pre-trip jitters about reaching their final destination. The loud cabin noise, shifting air pressure, and tension associated with air travel can all add to more intense or bothersome tinnitus. Luckily, recognizing how flying affects your ears and discovering ways to prepare can make your next trip far more manageable.
What is tinnitus and why does it surface in the air?
Tinnitus is the experience of hearing sound when there is no actual outside sound present. For some people, it presents as a persistent ringing, while other people may hear buzzing, clicking, whooshing, or static-like sounds.
Tinnitus is frequently a warning sign of a deeper health issue or underlying condition, including:
- Hearing Loss: Traumatic head injuries or extended exposure to excessive noise levels can harm the fragile structures of the inner ear.
- Ear Infections or Obstructions: Fluid buildup and infections can trigger or exacerbate tinnitus.
- Ototoxic Medicines: Certain drugs can harm the inner ear, leading to or intensifying symptoms.
- Benign Tumors: Growths including acoustic neuromas might affect hearing and balance.
Tinnitus could 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
“Airplane ear” is a term used to describe the sensation of fullness, pressure, or muted hearing that frequently accompanies flying. The problem arises when the eustachian tubes, responsible for maintaining ear pressure, have difficulty adapting to going up or down. Insufficient opening of these tubes may cause pressure differences to arise, leading to discomfort or pain.
For individuals with tinnitus, this pressure imbalance can intensify their symptoms or present new ones. The additional stress and sensory overload of a flight only compound the issue.
Why flying can aggravate tinnitus symptoms
Several elements of air travel may worsen tinnitus:
- Jet Engine Noise: High volume levels inside the cabin, especially near the engines, can intensify sensitivity in the ears and worsen tinnitus.
- Changes in Air Pressure: The abrupt changes in air pressure that occur during flight takeoff and landing can interfere with the normal functioning of the eardrum and nearby tissues, possibly causing or exacerbating tinnitus symptoms.
- Stress and Fatigue: The anxiety of travel, combined with poor sleep or dehydration, can increase your experience of tinnitus and cause it to feel more intrusive.
In-flight strategies to reduce ringing in the ears.
Taking a few simple actions can go a long way toward easing the strain on your ears during air travel:
- Using noise-canceling headphones can considerably minimize the disruptive sounds of the plane’s engine, particularly during the noisy periods of departure and arrival. You can also listen to relaxing music or white noise, which can help conceal the ringing in your ears.
- Choose Your Seat Carefully: If available, pick a seat in the front of the plane, further from the engines. This location is typically calmer and better suited for a tranquil journey.
- Stay Clear Of Standard Earplugs: Though tempting, conventional earplugs might increase inner ear pressure, making symptoms worse. Instead, think about utilizing plugs that are produced for regulating ear pressure during air travel.
- Chew Gum: To reduce discomfort, try chewing gum or swallowing regularly, as these basic actions can help sustain the patency of the eustachian tubes, facilitating a more effective balance of pressure.
- Use a Decongestant (If Approved by Your Doctor): If you’re fighting nasal congestion or allergies, consider taking an oral or nasal decongestant prior to flying to prevent obstructions in the eustachian tubes.
- Stay Awake during Takeoff and Landing: Being awake helps your body naturally manage pressure. Resting at these times may decrease the chances of achieving proper pressure balance.
In-flight distractions and relaxation strategies
Distraction is a potent tool for dealing with tinnitus. Consider diverting your attention with stimulating distractions such as audiobooks, calming music, or brain teasers to shift your attention away. Meditation apps and breathing exercises can also help ease flight-related stress and reduce your awareness of tinnitus.
Prior to your trip, make sure to rest well and stay hydrated. Steering clear of caffeine or alcohol on the day of travel may also help lessen symptoms associated with the ears. If you rely on hearing aids, consider using 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.
Consult with a professional if tinnitus impacts your ability to travel
If tinnitus regularly makes flying uncomfortable, it’s worth speaking with a hearing specialist. A detailed evaluation can pinpoint the underlying reason for your tinnitus and result in specific suggestions, such as personalized coping techniques or treatment plans, to better control instances of increased symptoms.
Schedule an evaluation for your tinnitus symptoms today.