For individuals who experience tinnitus, air travel can be a source of anxiety, as the flight may exacerbate their ear discomfort, enhancing the usual pre-trip anxieties about reaching their final destination. The loud cabin noise, shifting air pressure, and tension associated with air travel can all add to more extreme or irritating tinnitus. Luckily, recognizing how flying impacts your ears and learning ways to prepare can make your next journey much more manageable.
What causes tinnitus to worsen in high-elevation settings?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound without any external source. Some individuals experience a constant ringing sound, while others perceive buzzing, clicking, whooshing, or static noises.
While tinnitus itself isn’t a disease, it’s often a symptom of an underlying issue including:
- Hearing Loss: Traumatic head injuries or prolonged exposure to excessive sound levels can damage the fragile structures of the inner ear.
- Obstructions or Infection: Tinnitus can be activated or intensified by fluid accumulation and infections in the ears.
- Some medications can be ototoxic to the inner ear, triggering or worsening hearing and balance problems.
- Benign Tumors: Growths including acoustic neuromas might impact hearing and balance.
Tinnitus could be subjective (experienced only by the patient) or objective (audible to a clinician through a stethoscope-like device). When flying, a number of variables can intensify the symptoms, making travel more uncomfortable for those impacted.
Exploring the link between airplane ear and tinnitus
The term “airplane ear” describes the feeling of ears being full, under pressure, or experiencing dulled hearing when flying. The problem occurs when the eustachian tubes, responsible for maintaining ear pressure, have trouble adapting to going up or down. Insufficient opening of these tubes may cause pressure imbalances to arise, leading to discomfort or pain.
Individuals who have tinnitus might find that this pressure inconsistency exacerbates their existing symptoms or triggers additional ones. The anxiety and sensory stimulation of air travel can increase the problem.
Why flying can exacerbate tinnitus symptoms
Several elements of air travel might intensify tinnitus:
- Loud jet engine sounds within the aircraft can be particularly irritating near the engines, potentially aggravating sensitive ears and intensifying existing ringing in the ears, or tinnitus.
- Shifts in Air Pressure: The abrupt shifts in air pressure that occur during flight takeoff and landing can disrupt the normal functioning of the eardrum and nearby tissues, possibly causing or exacerbating tinnitus symptoms.
- Stress and Exhaustion: The anxiety of travel, combined with lack of sleep or dehydration, can increase your perception of tinnitus and make it feel more intrusive.
Travel suggestions for decreasing tinnitus discomfort mid-flight
By putting a few easy safeguards into your flight routine, you can significantly decrease the discomfort and pressure in your ears during air travel.
- Make Use Of Noise-Canceling Headphones: These can considerably decrease ambient engine noise, especially during takeoff and landing. You can also listen to calming music or white noise, which can help cover up the ringing in your ears.
- Opt for a strategic seating choice: If possible, opt for a seat towards the front of the plane rather than near the engines. This spot tends to be quieter and more conducive to a tranquil flight.
- Avoid Standard Earplugs: Though tempting, traditional earplugs may increase inner ear pressure, making symptoms worse. Instead, 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 equalize more efficiently.
- Use a Decongestant: Think about using 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 avoiding any blockages in the eustachian tubes.
- Stay Awake during 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
Distraction is a powerful tool for dealing with tinnitus. Bring entertainment alternatives like audiobooks, calming playlists, or puzzles to keep your attention elsewhere. Practicing meditation using apps and engaging in breathing exercises can reduce anxiety related to flying and reduce your focus on tinnitus.
Prior to your trip, be sure to rest well and stay hydrated. Skipping caffeine or alcohol on travel day can also decrease ear-related symptoms. And if you wear hearing aids, don’t hesitate to wear them on the plane– they might help you hear more naturally, reducing the dominance of the internal ringing or buzzing.
Consult with a professional if tinnitus affects your ability to travel
If tinnitus regularly makes flying uncomfortable, it’s worth speaking with a hearing specialist. A comprehensive evaluation can determine the underlying cause of your tinnitus and lead to targeted advice– including custom travel strategies or treatment options to manage flare-ups more successfully.
Arrange a consultation to evaluate your ringing in the ears symptoms now.