For people who experience tinnitus, air travel can be a source of anxiety, as the flight might intensify their ear discomfort, adding to the usual pre-trip jitters about getting to their final destination. The loud cabin noise, changing air pressure, and tension associated with air travel can all add to more extreme or bothersome tinnitus. Luckily, recognizing how flying affects your ears and learning ways to prepare can make your next trip far more manageable.
What causes tinnitus to intensify in high-elevation settings?
Tinnitus is the experience of hearing sound when there is no existent external sound present. For some people, it presents as a persistent ringing, while others may hear buzzing, clicking, whooshing, or static-like noise.
While tinnitus itself isn’t a disease, it’s frequently a symptom of a hidden issue including:
- Hearing Loss: Traumatic head injuries or extended exposure to excessive sound levels can harm the delicate structures of the inner ear.
- Obstructions or Infection: Tinnitus can be triggered or intensified by fluid build-up and infections in the ears.
- Some medications can be ototoxic to the inner ear, triggering or aggravating hearing and balance issues.
- Benign Tumors: Growths like acoustic neuromas may impact hearing and balance.
Tinnitus may be subjective (heard only by the patient) or objective (audible to a specialist through a stethoscope-like device). When flying, a number of variables can worsen the symptoms, making travel more unpleasant for those impacted.
Comprehending 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. It happens when the eustachian tubes– which regulate pressure in the middle ear– working to adjust to altitude changes during ascent or descent. Insufficient opening of these tubes may create pressure differences to arise, resulting in discomfort or pain.
For individuals who cope 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 worsen tinnitus symptoms
A number of elements of air travel may intensify tinnitus:
- Loud jet engine noise within the aircraft can be especially irritating close to the engines, potentially irritating sensitive ears and exacerbating existing ringing in the ears, or tinnitus.
- Changes in Air Pressure: The sudden changes in air pressure that happen during flight takeoff and landing can disrupt the regular functioning of the eardrum and nearby tissues, potentially causing or exacerbating tinnitus symptoms.
- Stress and Exhaustion: The anxiety of travel, combined with lack of sleep or dehydration, can increase your perception of tinnitus and cause it to feel more disruptive.
In-flight strategies to reduce ringing in the ears.
Taking a few basic actions can go a long way toward relieving the strain on your ears during air travel:
- Use Noise-Canceling Headphones: These can considerably reduce 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, select a seat in the front of the plane, away from the engines. This location is typically calmer and better suited for a relaxing journey.
- Stay Away From Standard Earplugs: These types of earplugs can potentially exacerbate the issue by putting added pressure on the inner ear, aggravating existing symptoms. Alternatively, consider utilizing plugs that are produced for regulating ear pressure during air travel.
- Chew Gum or Swallow Frequently: These actions help keep the eustachian tubes open, allowing pressure to equalize more effectively.
- Use a Decongestant: Think about taking a decongestant, either in oral or nasal form, before your flight if your doctor recommends it. This can help reduce nasal congestion and allergies, potentially avoiding any blockages in the eustachian tubes.
- Stay Awake for Takeoff and Landing: Being awake helps your body naturally manage pressure. Sleeping during these moments can decrease the likelihood of active pressure equalization.
Techniques for staying calm and entertained during a flight
Distraction is a powerful tool for managing tinnitus. Bring entertainment alternatives like audiobooks, soothing playlists, or puzzles to keep your attention elsewhere. Practicing meditation using apps and doing breathing exercises can reduce anxiety associated with flying and reduce your focus on tinnitus.
Prior to your trip, be sure to rest well and stay hydrated. Avoiding caffeine or alcohol on the day of travel might also help lessen symptoms associated with the ears. If you depend on hearing aids, consider 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 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 thorough assessment can identify the root cause of your tinnitus and lead to targeted advice– including custom travel strategies or treatment options to deal with flare-ups more effectively.
Arrange a consultation to evaluate your ringing in the ears symptoms now.
