If you live with tinnitus, boarding a plane might cause more than just enthusiasm about your destination– it might also come with worries about intensifying ear symptoms. The loud cabin noise, changing air pressure, and tension related to air travel can all add to more extreme or irritating tinnitus. By grasping the effect of air travel on your ears and taking practical measures, you can significantly reduce distress and make your approaching flight much more enjoyable.
What causes tinnitus to intensify in high-elevation environments?
Tinnitus is the apprehension of sound without any external source. For some, it presents as a persistent ringing, while other people may hear buzzing, clicking, whooshing, or static-like sounds.
Tinnitus is frequently an indicator of a deeper health problem or hidden condition, including:
- Inner Ear Damage: Exposure to loud noises or head trauma can weaken the auditory system.
- Ear Infections or Obstructions: Fluid accumulation and infections can activate or worsen tinnitus.
- Some medications can be ototoxic to the inner ear, triggering or aggravating hearing and balance issues.
- Benign Tumors: Acoustic neuromas are benign tumors that can affect both hearing and balance.
Tinnitus may be subjective (heard only by the patient) or objective (audible to a clinician through a stethoscope-like device). When flying, a number of factors can intensify the symptoms, making travel more unpleasant for those affected.
Comprehending airplane ear and its link to tinnitus
“Airplane ear” is a term used to describe the feeling of fullness, pressure, or muffled hearing that often accompanies flying. The problem arises when the eustachian tubes, in charge of sustaining ear pressure, have difficulty adjusting to going up or down. Inadequate opening of these tubes may create pressure imbalances to arise, leading to discomfort or pain.
For people who cope with tinnitus, this pressure imbalance can amplify their symptoms or introduce new ones. The additional stress and sensory overload of a flight only compound the problem.
How air travel can worsen tinnitus symptoms
Air travel can worsen tinnitus symptoms because of several factors.
- Loud jet engine sounds inside of the plane can be particularly irritating close to the engines, potentially irritating sensitive ears and exacerbating existing ringing in the ears, or tinnitus.
- Changes in Air Pressure: The sudden shifts in air pressure that occur during flight takeoff and landing can disrupt the normal functioning of the eardrum and nearby tissues, potentially causing or exacerbating tinnitus symptoms.
- Travel-related stress, coupled with not enough rest or insufficient hydration, can intensify the experience of tinnitus, making it seem more pronounced and troublesome.
Travel tips for decreasing tinnitus discomfort mid-flight
By putting a few easy safeguards into your flight routine, you can substantially decrease the discomfort and pressure in your ears during air travel.
- Wearing noise-canceling headphones can considerably decrease 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 cover up the ringing in your ears.
- Choose Your Seat Wisely: If you can, pick a seat in the front of the plane, away from the engines. This location is typically calmer and better suited for a relaxing journey.
- Avoid Basic Earplugs: Though tempting, conventional earplugs may increase inner ear pressure, making symptoms worse. 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, allowing pressure to neuturalize more efficiently.
- Use a Decongestant (If Authorized by Your Doctor): If you’re battling nasal congestion or allergies, think about using an oral or nasal decongestant before flying to avoid obstructions in the eustachian tubes.
- Remain Awake During Ascent and Descent: Staying awake allows your body to naturally adapt to air pressure changes. Resting at these times may decrease the chances of achieving proper pressure balance.
In-flight distractions and relaxation strategies
Diversion is a powerful tool for dealing with tinnitus. Consider diverting your attention with stimulating distractions including audiobooks, calming music, or brain teasers to shift your focus away. Meditation apps and breathing exercises can also help alleviate flight-related anxiety and lessen your awareness of tinnitus.
Prior to your journey, be sure to rest well and stay hydrated. Avoiding caffeine or alcohol on travel day can also decrease ear-related symptoms. If you rely on hearing aids, consider using them during your flight – they can help recover a more natural hearing experience and potentially minimize the effect of any internal ringing or buzzing sounds.
Seek professional advice if tinnitus interferes with travel
If tinnitus routinely makes flying uncomfortable, it’s worth speaking with a hearing specialist. A comprehensive assessment 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 effectively.
Arrange a consultation to assess your ringing in the ears symptoms now.