Flying & Tinnitus

Must keep jaw wide open during entire half-hour descent for best results.

 

Pop your ears and you should be fine. I have never had an issue flying with my tinnitus. I just dread the possibility of getting a cold and flying... not being able to pop my ears and couple that with the tinnitus... I think I would miss my plane until I was better. haha

 

When the plane starts the descent, hold your jaw wide open for the entire duration (about 25 mins is typical for a descent) until you're on the ground, even if it means using your hand to keep your jaw open. You'll look silly but it prevents the ear pressure. I've done it multiple times and it works. I used to have very painful ear clogs on descent, and then crackling for days after flying. No more.

 

Glad everything went well! I've also worried about flying with tinnitus so your experience is great news!

 

So John, are you saying you think you got your tinnitus from flying? If so, would like to hear more. I believe mine came on the same way and am trying to figure out if there is anything special I should be doing from that perspective. So far, two ENTs (including one who is a barotrauma specialist) have had nothing more to offer than standard management treatments.

As for work: my employer has been pretty good about working around my schedule so far. I considered trying to get short term disability but now am thinking not going that route. I feel much better with my T when I am busy, so I think sitting at home all day would drive me insane.

 

I don't have much experience in this regard but I have read many times and had one ENT recommend "earplanes", ear plugs that are supposed to help with equalizing. I've also read that you can take a nasal decongestant as well to help clear up the eustachian tubes.

 

So, the time has come. I have had tinnitus for about 5 months now and have been avoiding air travel like the plague. However, tomorrow I have no choice but to fly. The thought of flying makes me incredibly anxious as I'm sure it will be much louder on the plane than pre tinnitus. I am wondering what measures I can take to ensure that no damage is done to my ears during flight. Also, should I expect a temporary worsening of my T upon landing? Another thing I have been dealing with is some temporary hearing loss. It comes and goes randomly, usually lasting a day or two and then subsiding for a week or two. It feels as though my ears are full of air, and sounds are muffled. I'm worried that the pressure from the plane will cause this condition to worsen as well. Anything I can do there?? sorry for all the questions, and the long post. Being new to T makes me anxious about doing things that would otherwise be no problem. Hearing from you guys usually helps calm my anxiety

 

Hi Alexandor,
I traveled by airplane couple of hours without problems. First time at cinema without earplugs was the worse...so, my advices:

- wear earplugs, keep them on until you are at the terminal
- choose a front seat, far from the engines
- equalize, in order to avoid barotrauma (very unlikely)
- drink a lot (of water )
- take with you something to read
...and everything will be ok! Let us know, enjoy the trip,
Carlo

 

Carlo, Thanks for the advice! I have a pair of earplane earplugs (NRR of 20db) and a pair of noise canceling headphones to wear over top of them. I will be sitting in the front but it is a very small plane so we will see how that goes. I will be sure to drink plenty on the flight! Thanks for the positive words, I will definitely keep you posted

 

Let us know how you go @Alexandor good luck!

 

I have to take a 14 hours flight this month.

Has anyone´s T worsen after taking a plane?

Best!

 

Mine worsened after taking flights. Try to get seats in the front of the plane and not after row 17. Engine sound is too loud at the back.

 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0033YLEGO/?tag=tinntalk-20 + http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003X5R9Z8/?tag=tinntalk-20

Cabin noise will be around 90, 100 at takeoff. But depends on the plane and seat.

The earplugs don't protect as much as the advertised NRR33 but alone or combined with that earmuff you'll be fine. Better look not so hot in front of completely strangers than lose your sanity to T the rest of your life.

 

Help. I fly on a trans Atlantic trip in a couple of months.
Usually, when I fly, I have pain and blocked ears when descending.
This is called barotrauma.
This will be my first time flying with t.
Those of you who suffer from barotrauma and/Eustachian Tube dysfunction - when you fly with t, does the flight make your t worse? And if so, is this temporary or permanent.
Thanks so much. Very anxious about it.

 

While I don't have any personal experience flying with tinnitus yet, I have suffered from barotrauma and have ETD. From what I've read, most people tend to recommend Ear Planes, special ear plugs designed to protect your ears from the drastic pressure changes experienced on a flight. People also seem to use nasal steroids like Nasonex.

I think if you take those sort of precautions, your T should be fine.

 

Exactly my concern too and i'm going to try Earplanes when i travel in a couple months time.
I'll post here after my travel. Let us know how's it for you too Lisa.
Wish you have a pleasant journey

 

Thanks so much.
Eddy, I am thinking of postponing my flight a month or so, as I have only had t for 3 months. When are you flying? And yes, please please keep us posted on here. I know often people with t do not have problems flying, but with ETD, the pain and the ear trauma, well that may be a very different story.
There is also a great forum on facebook that I am on:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Tinnitussupportgroup/
Cheers, All.

 

I fly on the 4th of march 2.5 hr flight, i'm so frightened but i have no choice ... where will i get earplanes from? and how do you know if you've got ETD? i really need some advice thanks!!

 

From my personal experience, flying with T is exactly like flying without T.
Since the onset of mine I have flown almost a dozen times, and it did not affect me in any possible way.

I have always had sinus problems (although my tinnitus is not caused by it), so I always take a flask of vasoconstrictive spray, and would recommend everybody to do the same. But apart from this... Just worry less, and everything will be fine.

 

Thank you Garden Ring, you have put my mind at rest. What is the spray you mention? is it a nasal spray? and can you buy it OTC, thanks for your help.

 

I'll fly somewhere around April. We'll be alright

 

You can get from Amazon or any store that sells travelling stuff. Some store at airport should have it too.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001HTWL8C/?tag=tinntalk-20

 

If when you fly you have ear pain on descent and major blockage, even with swallowing, chewing etc, then that is barotrauma, and usually has to do with ETD. People who do not suffer this on descent and have t, from all that I have read, will be fine. But when trauma is caused to the eardrum for people with ETD and t, I wonder what that will bring, and if it changes t for the worse.

 

Thank you EddyLee, thanks Lisa88.

 

I fly maybe once a year, and haven't really had any problems, except for a plane trip in Dec.

I was dealing with sinus congestion and some ear fullness before the trip, and the plane rides cause my T to spike the worst it has since I first got T. Strangely, it didn't feel like I was having troubles equalizing the pressure and I didn't have that pressure pain.

I was right next to the engine on both flights so I think that noise was bad too. I've posted about it before, but for a couple days after I felt almost sea sick and my T was blaring.

While researching what happened online, I did see the suggestion to take a decongestant before flying to help with blockage.

I'm nervous about flying again, but I'll try that the next time.

remember anxiety and T are related so you'll have to manage your anxiety about the flight

good luck