For people who experience tinnitus, air travel can be a source of anxiety, as the flight may exacerbate their ear discomfort, adding to the normal pre-trip anxieties about reaching their final destination. 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. Fortunately, understanding how flying impacts 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 experience of hearing sound when there is no actual outside sound present. Some individuals experience a constant ringing sound, while others perceive buzzing, clicking, whooshing, or static sounds.

While tinnitus itself isn’t a disease, it’s frequently a symptom of an underlying health concerns including:

• Inner Ear Damage: Exposure to loud noises or head trauma can damage the auditory system.
• Obstructions or Infection: Tinnitus can be triggered or intensified by fluid accumulation and infections in the ears.
• Some medications can be ototoxic to the inner ear, causing or worsening hearing and balance problems.
• 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). When flying, a number of variables can intensify the symptoms, making travel more uncomfortable for those affected.

Understanding airplane ear and its connection to tinnitus

“Airplane ear” is a term used to describe the feeling of fullness, pressure, or muted hearing that often accompanies flying. The problem occurs when the eustachian tubes, in charge of maintaining ear pressure, have trouble adapting to going up or down. Insufficient opening of these tubes might create pressure imbalances to arise, resulting in discomfort or pain.

For individuals with tinnitus, this pressure imbalance can intensify their symptoms or introduce new ones. The anxiety and sensory stimulation of air travel can exacerbate the problem.

How air travel can intensify tinnitus symptoms

Air travel can worsen tinnitus symptoms due to several factors.

• Jet Engine Noise: High volume levels inside the cabin, particularly near the engines, can aggravate sensitivity in the ears and worsen tinnitus.
• Shifts in Air Pressure: The abrupt changes in air pressure that occur during flight takeoff and landing can interfere with the regular functioning of the eardrum and nearby tissues, possibly causing or exacerbating tinnitus symptoms.
• Stress and Exhaustion: The stress of travel, combined with poor sleep or dehydration, can increase your perception of tinnitus and cause it to feel more disruptive.

Travel suggestions for reducing tinnitus discomfort mid-flight

Taking a few basic steps can go a long way toward easing the strain on your ears during air travel:

• Using noise-canceling headphones can considerably decrease the disruptive sounds of the plane’s engine, especially during the noisy periods of departure and arrival. 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 option: If possible, select a seat towards the front of the plane rather than near the engines. This location tends to be quieter and more conducive to a peaceful flight.
• Stay Away From Conventional Earplugs: These types of earplugs can potentially exacerbate the problem by putting additional pressure on the inner ear, worsening existing symptoms. Alternatively, consider using plugs that are produced for controling ear pressure during air travel.
• Chew Gum: To alleviate discomfort, try chewing gum or swallowing regularly, as these simple actions can help maintain the patency of the eustachian tubes, promoting a more efficient balance of pressure.
• Use a Decongestant: Consider using a decongestant, either in oral or nasal form, before your flight if your physician advises 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 manage 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 approach 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 anxiety and lessen your awareness of tinnitus.

Before your trip, try to get quality sleep and stay hydrated. Avoiding caffeine or alcohol on travel day can also reduce ear-related symptoms. And if you use hearing aids, don’t hesitate to wear them on the plane– they might help you hear more naturally, decreasing the dominance of the internal ringing or buzzing.

Seek professional advice if tinnitus interferes with travel

If you regularly experience discomfort while flying because of tinnitus, it is advisable to seek advice from a specialist in hearing health. A comprehensive evaluation can identify the root cause of your tinnitus and result in targeted advice– including custom travel strategies or treatment options to manage flare-ups more effectively.

Arrange a consultation to evaluate your ringing in the ears symptoms now.