Flying & Tinnitus: An Overview

Flying on an airplane rarely causes tinnitus. Since aircraft cabins are pressurized, there are few cases of ear damage due to pressure changes (barotrauma), as might be found in activities like scuba diving. The noise in airplanes, however, can be a factor in exacerbating one's tinnitus.  
 
The quietest places in airplanes are in front of the wing engines, at the aisle seats, away from doors, galleys and bathrooms. Noise cancellation headsets can also help cut out low-frequency noise common to aircraft. Earplugs may also help - foam earplugs are recommended because they allow the air pressure to change slowly during flight. Other kinds of earplugs that allow for gradual pressure change may also help, but not pre-molded, airtight ones.
 
If pressure in the ears is an issue for you and you want to wear earplugs while flying, it is advised to insert the earplugs before you board the plane, remove them when the plane reaches cruising altitude, and then replace them before descent. If you choose, you may leave the earplugs in for the entire flight. Also, keep them in for approximately 30 minutes after landing.

Cirrus Healthcare Products, LLC, in conjunction with the House Ear Institute in Los Angeles, CA, has developed special earplugs called EarPlanes® to help slow the rate of pressure put on the ear while flying and have been tested by U.S. Navy aviators at the Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego. These earplugs should be tried before flight to see if they fit properly. Visit ATA.org/store/earplanes for more information.
 
Patients with upper respiratory illnesses may experience middle ear infections following air travel, and this could also negatively affect or cause tinnitus. If you must fly while ill, you may choose to use a decongestant prior to flight. Check with a doctor before taking any medications.  
 
Finally, if pressure change is a problem during flight, follow these simple steps to help to relieve the pressure on the Eustachian tube:

1. Swallowing, yawning, eating, chewing gum or drinking activates the muscles that open the Eustachian tube
2. Also, avoid sleep; that way you can swallow enough to keep up with any pressure changes.
3. Try the Valsalva Maneuver: Gently blow air out through the nostrils while pinching your nose and closing your mouth. It is very important not to force air from your chest or diaphragm, but only to use throat and cheek muscles.

If a feeling of fullness or pain in your ears persists after flying, seek the aid of a physician experienced in ear disorders.  

Good Resources

• To see what other patients have reported about flying and tinnitus, check out the Tinnitus Data Archive, Tinnitusarchive.org, for statistical summaries of tinnitus patients.
• In addition, PubMed, Pubmed.org, is a great public resource for easily searching a library of medical studies. Search the site using relevant keywords such as “flight and tinnitus.”

Sources

• ATA Fact Sheet   - June 2004 - “Flying With Tinnitus”
• Tinnitus Today – June 2005 – Q&A