I’ve been traveling quite a bit lately to visit my grandkids, and I’ve noticed that the cabin pressure and the constant hum of the jet engines really flare up my tinnitus for days afterward. It’s becoming a bit of a deterrent for me to book flights, which is frustrating because I don’t want to miss out on family time.
I’ve tried the special pressure-filtering earplugs, and they help a little with the physical pain, but they seem to make the internal ringing sound much louder since they block out all the ambient noise. I’m also never quite sure if I should keep my hearing aids in or take them out until we land.
I would love to hear how you all handle air travel. Do you find that noise-canceling headphones are better than standard earplugs? Also, do you have a specific routine for equalizing your ears during takeoff and landing that doesn’t involve chewing a ton of sugary gum? Any advice for making the recovery faster once I’m back on the ground?
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I always use a saline nasal spray about 30 minutes before we take off. It helps keep the passages clear so my ears pop much more easily.
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I actually prefer high-quality over-the-ear noise-canceling headphones. I take my hearing aids out and put them safely in their case once I’m in my seat. The headphones dampen the engine drone which usually triggers my tinnitus, and I can play some light white noise through them if the ringing starts to get annoying.
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Just a heads up, if you do keep your aids in, make sure you turn down the volume. The plane’s PA system can be incredibly loud and jarring through those microphones.
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I struggle with this too. The ‘clogged’ feeling usually lasts two days for me.
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My audiologist suggested the ‘Valsalva maneuver’—gently blowing through your nose while pinching it shut—but you have to be very careful not to do it too hard. I also stay extremely hydrated. Dehydration makes the mucus thicker, which makes equalizing the pressure way harder than it needs to be.
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Which brand of pressure earplugs did you try? I used EarPlanes and they worked okay, but I agree about the ringing getting louder when the world goes silent.
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Honestly, nothing has worked perfectly for me. I just plan for a ‘quiet day’ after I land where I don’t schedule any big dinners or noisy outings. Giving the ears a rest is the only real cure I’ve found.
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Try to book a seat toward the front of the plane if you can. It’s significantly quieter than sitting behind the engines, which helps with the tinnitus flare-ups.
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I second the noise-canceling headphones idea. They are a game changer for long hauls.
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Great tips here everyone. I’m flying next week and will definitely try the nasal spray trick.
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