Travelling tips for tinnitus

[Lally1]

Hi everyone,

as post-Covid symptom, 2 weeks ago I developed tinnitus. I mention this as I read there's a Covid - Tinnitus page on the website, in case it's helpful for someone else. Covid has left my whole body so stiff which is something I don't normally have as I practice a lot of dance/yoga. I believe it could be connected to a lower back old injury triggered by the virus.Everytime, the lower back/hip pain increases, then the tinnitus increases. It's obviously overwhelming at start, and at night.

Whilst I wait to have an MRI scan, a couple of questions, how do I clean my ears? Normally I use the cotton buds on the external ears.

I live in London so I'm exposed to very loud sounds, do I wear headphones when I walk out on the streets? Same for travelling (train/flight), what kind of headphones shall I use? I don't feel use earplugs.

I also read the flight travelling tips, I read about tips for the plane take down. What about the take off?

I've no vertigo/dizziness/I don't seem to have at the moment hear loss (touch wood), and I'm managing to reduce the ringing/buzzing in the ears with a lot of mindfulness (yoga, sounds/music therapy etc) and it works. So again mentioning this for those who also use mindfulness for tinnitus, it definitely helps.

Thank you.

La.

[Fridays_Child_62]

If you want to reduce your expose to loud rumbling noise, such as traffic noise and engine noise while travelling, I suggest you try noise-cancelling headphones (without music playing), as these are the most effective at reducing low-frequency continuous noise. Ear defenders are less effective at blocking the low-frequency range and more effective with the high frequencies.

Regarding ear cleaning, I uses a water-based spray in my ears 2 or 3 times per week, called Audiclean. It helps to keep down the build-up of wax. I would only use cotton buds at the openings of the ears - my ear problems started in my early twenties when I pushed wax onto the drum with a cotton bud.

[Lally4 in reply to Fridays_Child_62]

Thank you, that's really helpful. I had to recreate the account so apologies for the late reply.

[Toughmathew]

I have heard some used decongestant

[Lally4 in reply to Toughmathew]

thank you.

[rabbits65]

hello La , welcome to this site. Sounds like your doing extremely well coping with your tinnitus and I’m sure coping with long Covid symptoms is what has brought on the tinnitus in the first place alongside all the stress . Your body sounds like it’s been through the mill and I know stress can make arthritis and stiffness increase . I would just like to wish you well and say I admire your positivity 😃

[Lally4 in reply to rabbits65]

Hi, thank you for your lovely message. Yes, your impression is correct, and I'm still going through the mill. Surely all the mindfulness helps me so much. And that leads me to stay positive, and reflect on what I'm learning from this experience and how I can grow. Stay safe and I wish you well too.