If you cope with tinnitus, going on a plane may bring 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 impact of air travel on your ears and taking proactive measures, you can significantly reduce discomfort and make your approaching flight a lot more pleasant.
What causes tinnitus to intensify in high-elevation settings?
Tinnitus is the experience of hearing sound when there is no actual outside sound present. Some individuals experience a continuous ringing sound, while others perceive buzzing, clicking, whooshing, or static sounds.
Tinnitus is often an indicator of a deeper health issue or underlying condition, 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 activated 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 problems.
- Benign Tumors: Acoustic neuromas are benign tumors that can affect both 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 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 term used to define the sensation of fullness, pressure, or muffled hearing that frequently accompanies flying. The issue occurs when the eustachian tubes, responsible for maintaining ear pressure, have difficulty adapting to going up or down. Inadequate opening of these tubes may create pressure imbalances to arise, leading to discomfort or pain.
For individuals who cope with tinnitus, this pressure imbalance can intensify their symptoms or introduce new ones. The added stress and sensory overload of a flight only magnify the problem.
How air travel can intensify tinnitus symptoms
Several elements of air travel may worsen tinnitus:
- Loud jet engine noise inside of the plane can be particularly irritating close to the engines, potentially irritating sensitive ears and intensifying existing ringing in the ears, or tinnitus.
- Pressure Changes: During takeoff and landing, the rapid changes in cabin pressure can impact how the eardrum and surrounding structures vibrate, which may trigger or heighten tinnitus.
- Travel-related anxiety, coupled with not enough rest or insufficient hydration, can intensify the sensation of tinnitus, making it seem more obvious and bothersome.
In-flight techniques to reduce ringing in the ears.
Taking a few simple steps can go a long way toward easing the strain on your ears during air travel:
- Using noise-canceling headphones can greatly minimize the disruptive sounds of the plane’s engine, especially during the noisy periods of departure and arrival. They also allow you to listen to soothing music or white noise, which may mask tinnitus.
- Choose Your Seat Wisely: If you can, pick a seat in the front of the aircraft, away from the engines. This area is generally calmer and better suited for a tranquil journey.
- Stay Away From Conventional Earplugs: These types of earplugs can potentially intensify the problem by putting added pressure on the inner ear, aggravating existing symptoms. Instead, think about using plugs that are made for regulating ear pressure during air travel.
- Chew Gum: To reduce discomfort, try chewing gum or swallowing frequently, as these simple actions can help maintain the patency of the eustachian tubes, facilitating a more effective balance of pressure.
- Use a Decongestant: Think about taking a decongestant, either in oral or nasal form, before your flight if your doctor advises it. This can help reduce nasal congestion and allergies, potentially preventing any blockages in the eustachian tubes.
- Remain Awake 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
Distraction is a potent tool for managing tinnitus. Bring entertainment alternatives like audiobooks, soothing playlists, or puzzles to keep your focus elsewhere. Meditation apps and breathing exercises can also help alleviate flight-related stress and lessen your awareness of tinnitus.
Before your trip, aim to get quality rest and stay hydrated. Steering clear of caffeine or alcohol on the day of travel may also help minimize symptoms related to the ears. And if you use hearing aids, don’t hesitate to use them on the plane– they may help you hear more naturally, reducing the prominence of the internal ringing or buzzing.
Talk with a specialist if tinnitus affects your ability to travel
If tinnitus regularly makes flying unpleasant, it’s worth speaking with a hearing specialist. A comprehensive assessment can identify the underlying cause of your tinnitus and lead to targeted recommendations– 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.