Traveling by airplane can be stressful, but it can be even more so for people with tinnitus. Airplanes can be noisy, airports can be confusing, your sleep and diet might be thrown off and your stress levels might be higher, all of which can impact tinnitus symptoms. Let’s break down some of the tinnitus hazards of air travel and how you might find relief.
Tinnitus Subjectivity
Here are two facts:
- Approximately 50 million people experience tinnitus, and
- Tinnitus is highly subjective, meaning all 50 million of those people experience tinnitus differently. (Heck, even the way you pronounce “tinnitus” is highly subjective!)
Because tinnitus is highly individualized and no two people experience it exactly the same way, complex environments like airplanes and airports can affect each tinnitus sufferer differently.
Tinnitus Hazards While Flying and What You Can Do About Them
With the subjectivity of tinnitus in mind, we’re going to outline some of the elements of air travel that could have an effect, positive or negative, on tinnitus. Some aspects of air travel can be calming for some and make symptoms worse for others. Some might not feel any effects on their tinnitus from an item on this list.
Therefore, if you have tinnitus and have a flight coming up, you might consider experimenting a bit with some of these elements. Discover if they affect your tinnitus, and how. We’ll outline some tips below in case you find that your tinnitus is affected negatively.
Airplane Engine Noise
This can definitely go either way for people. Some find the dull roar of the airplane engine soothing and effective at masking tinnitus. On the other hand, others find that their tinnitus worsens with the constant noise, especially those who also have a sound-sensitivity condition, which can often accompany tinnitus.
If you find that engine noise is a problem for your symptoms, consider wearing earplugs to block the noise or listening to music through noise-cancelling headphones to drown it out. Also, try using a distraction, like reading a book or watching a movie.
Air Pressure Changes
When your ears pop during takeoff or landing, that’s the mechanism inside your ears equalizing pressure between the inside and the outside of your ears. The ears are sensitive to differences in pressure between the inside and outside, and some find that changes in elevation or pressure can affect their tinnitus.
To manage the effects of air pressure changes, work your jaw as much as possible to jostle open the Eustachian tubes and help them equalize pressure. You might do this by chewing gum, yawning widely or sucking on a piece of candy. There are also aviation earplugs that equalize pressure available.
Salty or Sugary Food
Hungry during a layover? It seems most food options in an airport are of the fast-food variety, high in salt and sugar. Additionally, the food served in-flight, on average, contains much more salt than food on the ground, because our taste buds change when we’re in the air. Salty and sugary foods can be tinnitus triggers for some people, so all this food could cause a spike.
Managing this tinnitus trigger is relatively simple: bring your own snacks and meals so you can be in control of your sugar and salt intake. You’ll still fall victim to the food tasting blander in the air, and it might take up precious space in your carry-on bag, but it could help with tinnitus.
Stress
This one is less subjective than the ones above. Stress is heavily correlated with tinnitus, and air travel can be incredibly stressful. Worrying about missing flights, crossing the entire airport with your heavy luggage and anxiety while on the plane are all common, and that increased stress might trigger a tinnitus spike.
Hopefully, you’re traveling to a relaxing location that will help you de-stress after your trip. During travel, however, try to find relaxation however you can. Schedule time to relax and rest along the way, listen to soothing ambient noise through your headphones or watch a movie in-flight to distract yourself from the stress.
Have a Great Trip!
We at Rancho Santa Fe Audiology want you to have a safe and easy flight, free from tinnitus flare-ups. If you haven’t had a tinnitus evaluation before, consider having one before you go. It might shed some light on other triggers that might appear during your travels, and your audiologist may have some great ideas on coping strategies for you. You may even be able to begin tinnitus retraining therapy or another tinnitus management program. Call today to learn more!
