For people who deal with tinnitus, air travel can be a source of stress, as the flight may exacerbate their ear discomfort, enhancing the usual pre-trip jitters about reaching their final destination. The boosted noise inside the airplane, variations in air pressure, and the stress associated with flying can all lead to a worsening or more bothersome experience of tinnitus. By perceiving the effect of air travel on your ears and taking practical steps, you can considerably reduce 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 existent outside sound present. Some people experience a continuous ringing sound, while others hear buzzing, clicking, whooshing, or static sounds.
While tinnitus itself isn’t a disease, it’s frequently a symptom of an underlying health concerns including:
- Hearing Loss: Traumatic head injuries or extended exposure to excessive sound levels can damage the delicate structures of the inner ear.
- Ear Infections or Obstructions: Fluid accumulation and infections can trigger or exacerbate tinnitus.
- Certain medications can be ototoxic to the inner ear, triggering or worsening hearing and balance problems.
- Benign Tumors: Acoustic neuromas are benign tumors that can affect both hearing and balance.
Tinnitus could be subjective (heard only by the patient) or objective (audible to a clinician through a stethoscope-like device). Air travel can worsen symptoms for some people, resulting in a more distressing experience during flights.
Exploring the connection between airplane ear and tinnitus
The term “airplane ear” refers to the feeling of ears being full, under pressure, or experiencing muted hearing while flying. The problem arises when the eustachian tubes, responsible for maintaining ear pressure, have difficulty adjusting to going up or down. Insufficient opening of these tubes might create pressure differences to arise, resulting in discomfort or pain.
People experiencing tinnitus may find that this pressure discrepancy exacerbates their existing symptoms or activates new ones. The anxiety and sensory stimulation of air travel can exacerbate the issue.
How air travel can intensify tinnitus symptoms
Several elements of air travel might worsen tinnitus:
- Jet Engine Noise: High decibel levels inside the cabin, especially near the engines, can aggravate sensitivity in the ears and exacerbate tinnitus.
- Shifts in Air Pressure: The sudden changes in air pressure that occur during flight takeoff and landing can disrupt the normal functioning of the eardrum and nearby tissues, potentially causing or worsening tinnitus symptoms.
- Stress and Exhaustion: The anxiety of travel, combined with lack of sleep or dehydration, can increase your experience of tinnitus and cause it to feel more intrusive.
Travel suggestions for decreasing tinnitus discomfort mid-flight
Taking a few simple steps can go a long way toward relieving the strain on your ears during air travel:
- Make Use Of Noise-Canceling Headphones: These can significantly reduce background 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 Wisely: If available, pick a seat in the front of the plane, further from the engines. This area 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. Instead, think about using plugs that are produced for regulating ear pressure during air travel.
- Chew Gum: To alleviate discomfort, try chewing gum or swallowing frequently, as these simple actions can help sustain the patency of the eustachian tubes, facilitating 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 reduce 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. Sleeping during these moments can decrease the likelihood of active pressure adjustement.
In-flight distractions and relaxation solutions
Distraction is a powerful tool for managing tinnitus. Bring entertainment alternatives like audiobooks, soothing 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 trip, aim to get quality rest 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 use them on the plane– they might help you hear more naturally, decreasing the prominence of the internal ringing or buzzing.
Get professional guidance if tinnitus interferes with travel
If you frequently experience discomfort while flying due to tinnitus, it is advisable to get advice from a specialist in hearing health. A detailed evaluation can pinpoint the underlying reason for your tinnitus and result in specific recommendations, including individualized coping techniques or treatment plans, to better control instances of increased symptoms.
Arrange a consultation to evaluate your ringing in the ears symptoms now.
