Tips for flying

[Unclelatch]

Hello folks, been suffering with Tinnitus in the form of a high pitched hissing in both ears since contracting COVID in early 2020. I don't let it bother me too much on a daily basis, but it sometimes becomes an annoyance at times of stress or tiredness etc, or particularly during driving long distances with road noise causing a spike. Now I have my first long haul flight since onset coming up in September and wondered if anyone had tips to help with the probability that Mr T will ramp up his game.

[Happyrosie]

I know that, because the noise of the plane will almost mask the tinnitus, my brain will seek a compensatory noise once the hustle and bustle of the journey has finished and I can relax. So Mr T giggles and says “thought you’d got me licked for a few hours did you? Hahahaha”.

Thus, I realise it’s part of the inconveniences of travelling like queueing for passport control, or sitting in an uncomfortable seat, and it will fade into the background again. Just part of the joys of travelling in other words.

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Inevitable plug for Tinnitus UK's guide on this matter - tinnitus.org.uk/understandi...

[Unclelatch in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

Brilliant thanks!

[Hop38]

They say to get a seat near the top of the plane as its not as noisy as the rest. Good earplugs😁

[PABLR]

Tinnitus UK doesn’t recommend ear plugs when flying, however my specialist in the USA recommends ones that are sold here as EarPlanes that have a hole through them that helps equalise pressure without gum chewing, holding your nose and breathing out etc. I know they sell the same thing in Boots maybe under a slightly different name. He also has told me to use a nasal decongestant about an hour before departure and then at takeoff and again when the plane begins it’s descent. You don’t need to wear the earplugs once the flight has reached it’s cruising height. My tinnitus has never worsened doing this. Its better to sit forward because it’s a bit quieter.

[Marcus8498]

I also have high pitched Tinnitus which started in 2021 which may be Covid related. Having recently flown long haul to New Zealand I found that the noise of the aeroplane masked the T so was not an issue. I also found that it stopped my T completely for a week after landing! Go figure?

[surreycccfan]

Hi, I have flown many times with my T and had no problems but I understand your concern as I was exactly the same when I first flew and had not really 'accepted' my T and was still fighting it. The BTA have some great information here tinnitus.org.uk/understandi... . When I flew when I was struggling with my T, I made sure I had some decent ear plugs if lots of noise (I use alpine but plenty out there), I also had some good podcasts/music downloaded to my phone so I could 'distract' myself not just from my T but also from any anxiety I had from my T getting worse, I made sure I had a good relaxation technique to hand which I used before I flew (and could also use if I got anxious when I was on the plane and was focusing on my T) I had a progressive muscle relaxation and a breathing exercise in my 'toolkit' and lastly if I was flying with someone I made sure they understood my concerns and made sure we chatted or played cards to take the focus away from my T and any anxiety. Hope this helps in some small way, stay safe

[Unclelatch in reply to surreycccfan]

Thank you for the information. As I said, Tinnitus doesn't really bother me on a daily basis, but I'm aware that aircraft noise may ( or hopefully not) cause a spike which if it lasts the full 9 hours of the flight will give me the proper hump to say the least!From all the replies I've had Ill be hunting out the decent headphones and some interesting media to go with it.