What to do when flying

[SueX]

So I've read that you should protect your ears when you have T and you are flying. But...is that noise protection earplugs to protect your ears from the loudness of the cabin/engines etc? Or, are you wearing things a bit like swimmers wear in your ears to help equalise the pressure? I'm still coming to terms with having T, but determined not to allow it to stop me taking my children away on holiday 😊

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Not knowing where you saw this advice, Sue, it's difficult to comment. I don't think it's usually recommended that people who have tinnitus need to use ear plugs during flights - in fact our "Flying and the Ear" leaflet says the opposite:

'Avoid using earplugs during a flight. When you seal out background noise, your tinnitus may become more noticeable.'

tinnitus.org.uk/wp-content/...

[SueX in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

Thank you that's really helpful. I just thought that that the level of background noise might be a little much for our sensitive ears!

[Moomin1961 in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

That’s interesting - personally I find that if I don’t use earplugs on a flight the noise levels make my tinnitus flare dreadfully for some time afterwards 🤷🏻‍♀️

[bantams]

Hi SueX,

I enjoy flying as the engine noise masks my T and I have flown many times since starting with T over 4 years ago and it as never made my T worse, but what works for one person may not work for others.

[Tlyna]

I have had tinnitus since 1996 and have flown several times. Never used anything for ear protection and had no problem, it doesn't seem to affect my tinnitus either way.

[JohnSindelin]

Good article here Sue from a Tinnitus expert. I have pretty severe tinnitus and noise sensitivity. I've always used over the ear noise cancelling headphones (like Bose) and that helps tremendously. I don't have them on for take off and landing though so that I can equalize my ears.

cbtfortinnitus.com/blog/blo...

[SueX in reply to JohnSindelin]

Really helpful. Thank you.

[Covenette1]

Hi Sue. obviously I can only speak for myself but for me, flying is a way to be able to sit surrounded by the sound of the plane and not worry about my T, I never wear any sort of ear plugs, in fact the comforting drone almost cancels out my T and (touchwood!) there have been no repercussions from the flights afterwards. Kim x