For people who experience tinnitus, air travel can be a source of stress, as the flight might exacerbate their ear discomfort, adding to the usual pre-trip jitters about reaching their final destination. The loud cabin noise, shifting air pressure, and stress related to air travel can all contribute to more extreme or bothersome tinnitus. By grasping the effect of air travel on your ears and taking practical measures, you can significantly decrease distress and make your approaching flight much more pleasant.
What is tinnitus and why does it flare up 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 others may hear buzzing, clicking, whooshing, or static-like noise.
Tinnitus is often 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.
- Obstructions or Infection: Tinnitus can be activated or exacerbated by fluid accumulation and infections in the ears.
- Ototoxic Medicines: Certain drugs can harm the inner ear, leading to or aggravating 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 detected by a medical specialist utilizing specialized listening equipment. Air travel can worsen symptoms for some people, resulting in a more stressful experience during flights.
Understanding airplane ear and its link to tinnitus
“Airplane ear” is a phrase used to describe the sensation of fullness, pressure, or muffled hearing that often accompanies flying. It happens when the eustachian tubes– which equalize pressure in the middle ear– working to adjust to altitude changes during ascent or descent. If these tubes don’t open efficiently, pressure discrepancies can develop, leading to discomfort or even pain.
For people who cope with tinnitus, this pressure imbalance can amplify their symptoms or present new ones. The stress and sensory stimulation of air travel can increase the issue.
Why flying can exacerbate tinnitus symptoms
Several elements of air travel may intensify tinnitus:
- Jet Engine Noise: High volume levels inside the cabin, particularly near the engines, can intensify sensitivity in the ears and worsen tinnitus.
- Shifts in Air Pressure: The abrupt shifts in air pressure that happen during flight takeoff and landing can interfere with the regular 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 bothersome.
In-flight strategies to reduce ringing in the ears.
By putting a few easy safeguards into your flight routine, you can significantly decrease the discomfort and pressure in your ears during air travel.
- Using noise-canceling headphones can greatly decrease the distracting sounds of the plane’s engine, particularly during the loud periods of departure and arrival. They also allow you to listen to relaxing music or white noise, which can mask tinnitus.
- 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 relaxing journey.
- Avoid Basic Earplugs: Though tempting, conventional earplugs might increase inner ear pressure, making symptoms more severe. Alternatively, consider utilizing plugs that are made for regulating ear pressure during air travel.
- Chew Gum or Swallow Regularly: These actions help keep the eustachian tubes open up, allowing pressure to neuturalize more efficiently.
- Use a Decongestant: Think about taking a decongestant, either in oral or nasal form, before your flight if your physician advises it. This can help reduce nasal congestion and allergies, potentially avoiding any blockages 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
Redirecting one’s attention can be a very effective approach for dealing with tinnitus. Bring entertainment options like audiobooks, calming playlists, or puzzles to keep your attention elsewhere. Meditation apps and breathing exercises can also help ease flight-related anxiety and reduce your awareness of tinnitus.
Before your flight, try to get quality rest and stay hydrated. Avoiding caffeine or alcohol on the day of travel might also help minimize symptoms associated with the ears. If you rely on hearing aids, think about 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.
Get professional guidance if tinnitus disrupts travel
If you frequently experience discomfort while flying because of tinnitus, it is recommended to seek advice from a professional in hearing health. A detailed evaluation can identify 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.
Set up an evaluation for your tinnitus symptoms today.