If you live with tinnitus, boarding a plane may bring more than just excitement about your destination– it may also come with worries about worsening ear symptoms. The increased noise inside the airplane, fluctuations in air pressure, and the stress associated with flying can all result in a worsening or more disturbing experience of tinnitus. Fortunately, recognizing how flying affects your ears and discovering ways to prepare can make your next trip much more manageable.
What causes tinnitus to intensify in high-elevation settings?
Tinnitus is the apprehension of sound without any external source. Some individuals experience a continuous ringing sound, while others perceive buzzing, clicking, whooshing, or static sounds.
While tinnitus on its own isn’t a disease, it’s frequently a symptom of a hidden health concerns including:
- Inner Ear Damage: Exposure to loud noises or head trauma can weaken the auditory system.
- Blockages or Infection: Tinnitus can be triggered or intensified by fluid accumulation and infections in the ears.
- Ototoxic Medications: Certain medications can harm the inner ear, leading to or intensifying symptoms.
- Benign Tumors: Growths including acoustic neuromas may affect 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 professional utilizing specialized listening devices. Air travel can worsen symptoms for some individuals, leading to a more stressful experience during flights.
Understanding airplane ear and its connection to tinnitus
The term “airplane ear” refers to the sensation of ears being full, under pressure, or experiencing muted hearing while flying. The issue occurs when the eustachian tubes, in charge of maintaining ear pressure, have trouble adapting to going up or down. Insufficient opening of these tubes may cause pressure differences to arise, resulting in discomfort or pain.
Individuals experiencing tinnitus may find that this pressure discrepancy worsens their existing symptoms or activates additional ones. The stress and sensory stimulation of air travel can exacerbate the problem.
How air travel can worsen tinnitus symptoms
Air travel can worsen tinnitus symptoms due to various factors.
- Loud jet engine noise inside of the aircraft can be particularly irritating close to the engines, potentially aggravating sensitive ears and exacerbating existing ringing in the ears, or tinnitus.
- Changes in Air Pressure: The abrupt shifts in air pressure that occur during flight takeoff and landing can disrupt the regular functioning of the eardrum and nearby tissues, potentially causing or exacerbating tinnitus symptoms.
- Travel-related anxiety, coupled with not enough rest or insufficient hydration, can exacerbate the experience of tinnitus, making it seem more pronounced and troublesome.
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:
- 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 conceal the ringing in your ears.
- Choose Your Seat Carefully: If available, pick a seat in the front of the aircraft, away from the engines. This area is generally calmer and better suited for a relaxing journey.
- Stay Clear Of Basic Earplugs: Though tempting, conventional earplugs might increase inner ear pressure, making symptoms worse. As an alternative, try ear pressure-regulating earplugs made specifically for air travel.
- Chew Gum or Swallow Regularly: These actions help keep the eustachian tubes open, allowing pressure to equalize more effectively.
- Use a Decongestant (If Authorized by Your Doctor): If you’re battling nasal congestion or allergies, think about taking an oral or nasal decongestant prior to flying to avoid blockages in the eustachian tubes.
- Remain Alert During Ascent and Descent: Staying awake allows your body to naturally adjust to air pressure changes. 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 highly effective approach for dealing with tinnitus. Bring entertainment options like audiobooks, soothing playlists, or puzzles to keep your attention elsewhere. Practicing meditation using apps and engaging in breathing exercises can decrease anxiety associated with flying and decrease your awareness of tinnitus.
Before your trip, try to get quality rest and stay hydrated. Skipping 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, reducing the prominence of the internal ringing or buzzing.
Seek professional advice if tinnitus disrupts travel
If you frequently experience discomfort while flying because of tinnitus, it is recommended to get advice from a specialist in hearing health. A detailed evaluation can identify the hidden reason for your tinnitus and result in specific recommendations, such as individualized coping strategies or treatment plans, to better manage instances of increased symptoms.
Arrange a consultation to evaluate your ringing in the ears symptoms now.
