plane journey

[Graham1108]

Hi everyone, I was wondering if flying on a plane does anything in relation to Tinnitus? I have recently been on a plane journey and as soon as the descent started I had pain in my neck in the right side leading up to my ear? After landing again on my right side it took ages to clear the blocked feeling in my ear. My tinnitus is worse on my right side and when moving my head backwards and forwards whilst in descent the sound felt like a pressure tap turning on and off? I am starting to think that the doctors words” you’ve got tinnitus and there is nothing else we can do” my not be true and I have a specific problem in my right ear that could be addressed? Any thoughts please?

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Hello, Graham - you might find this helpful: tinnitus.org.uk/understandi...

[Graham1108 in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

Thanks Pat, ironically I did quite a bit of what has been suggested . My point is that one ear/neck was signify worse than the other and I wondered whether I could get this to a level similar to my left side. Some good tips nonetheless

[Happyrosie]

other than what Pat has said. I personally find my tinnitus is worse after a flight, or indeed a coach trip. I believe this is because the brain was bombarded with noise during the jour ey, it’s now quiet and the primitive part of the brain is seeking a noise, any noise, to compensate.

I take it that you’ve already seen your doc about your tinnitus and that s/he isn’t very helpful. Sadly, that’s not uncommon. Doctors should be guided by the pathways suggested by the National Institute for Clinical Evidence and you can look this up yourself by going to NICE website and putting “tinnitus” into their search box. If the doc hasn’t followed these guidelines then maybe you can gently suggest a way forward.

[Graham1108 in reply to Happyrosie]

Thanks for comments. I was referred by my doctor to ENT and was horrified with their lack of support and guidance. I am not suprised to hear you say that this is not uncommon.

[Kellythecat-74 in reply to Graham1108]

Just seen ENT. Was advised a headband radio. That's it folks!

[Shumbah]

DYMISTA nose spray twice daily is my saviour I am a frequent flyer I developed tinnitus post Covid .

Dymista also lessens my tinnitus thank goodness

Hold head parallel to the floor sniff it in as well has you can to get it towards ear canals

[Yogachamp]

Hi

I travelled to Australia recently & was worried about my Tinnitus & ears so I bought some noise cancelling headphones & they certainly helped , when I first took them off my T sounded louder but my brain soon adjusted .

[Graham1108 in reply to Yogachamp]

thanks for your reply . Something to consider

[norcar]

Your problem on the descent in the plane is almost certainly due to some blockage in the eustacion tube that communicates between the inner ear and the sinuses. This part of the ear should be filled with air and the eustacion tube is there to equalise pressure between the inner ear and outside. In a plane the pressure changes are really significant and if the pressures can't be equalised it can result sometimes in excruciating pain. The linings of the sinuses and inner ear can become inflamed by colds, hay fever etc. and the eustacion tube can close up and trap fluid in the inner ear that can't drain. The usual treatment is to use a steroidal spray (fluticasone). I have a similar problem to you and have found that a nasal wash (NeilMed) followed by the steroidal spray combined with an antihistamine (ceterizine) helps to relieve the problem almost entirely (steroids on its own doesn't work) and you are correct in thinking the tinnitus may not be permanent in your case, as mine has much improved.

[Graham1108 in reply to norcar]

Thank you This sounds (as to the cause of my problem) very plausible. Does a doctor need to prescribe these medicines or can they be purchase over the counter at a pharmacy?

[norcar in reply to Graham1108]

The antihistamines are OTC. Cetrizine is the one I use. There are quite a few but this one is non-drowsy. The steroid is prescription only. You can get a combined steroid histamine nasal spray but that is prescription only.

[Kellythecat-74]

My tinnitus started after my ears blocked up after a flight .Prob due to sinusitis., One ear remained blocked. Doctor recommended steaming . Think I did too much before bedtime .Woke up to screeching parrots in my head. ( pressure from the heat trying to escape down blocked tubes, well thats my opinion) That’s how my Tinnitus started. Now I use "earplanes" little plastic gadgets that you put in the ears before take off and landing. They can feel a bit uncomfortable from the pressure. However I have never suffered blocked ears from flying since then. 20 years.

[Graham1108 in reply to Kellythecat-74]

thanks for your feedback

[PABLR]

I often have problems after flying but usually with hearing not tinnitus. It is definitely worth using a decongestant nasal spray before take off and landing (I use Afrin in the States, Boots own which has the same active ingredient in the USA) and earplugs specifically designed for flying (EarPlanes). This was recommended by my specialist in the USA. You can take the EarPlanes out when the plane levels out until you start descending and then switch to noise cancelling headphones which are more comfortable (for me at least). The earplugs have a hole all the way through to help with equalising pressure.

[Roberthopeful]

Hi. I also developped tinnitus after 2 flights in a row. My left ear usually remains blocked after flying but that time is was block almost 3 days... After that I started hearing a hissing which developped into tinnitus. I tried all specialists and doctors, nothing

[doris22 in reply to Roberthopeful]

Yep, that's how mine started. We were queued in the sky and all of a sudden did a quick descent. The pain made me cry out. When we landed I couldn't hear very well and it sounded like I was under water. Eventually I was left with tinnitus in my left ear that has gradually got louder.