Does flying in airplane make tinnitus worse?

Changes in the air pressure during the flight may be uncomfortable and worsen the pain related with tinnitus. A simple trick to relieving this uncomfortable feeling is by yawning or swallowing.



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Protecting Ears When on a Plane Exposure to noise at 85 dB for more than eight hours a day can cause permanent hearing loss or temporary hearing problems like tinnitus (2). However, at 100 dB, the safe duration of exposure is only 15 minutes a day (3).

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Some people worry that the noise of the engines will damage their ears or cause their tinnitus to get louder. This is very unlikely. Many people actually find flying to be one of the times when they are completely free of their tinnitus because of the background noise of the engines.

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While there is no scientific proof that earplugs actually help with in-flight ear pain, anyone who feels like they are a benefit should continue to use them to relieve their pain. Some other effective methods of reducing pressure include swallowing, yawning, blowing your nose, and chewing gum.

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Follow these tips to avoid airplane ear:
  1. Yawn and swallow during ascent and descent. ...
  2. Use the Valsalva maneuver during ascent and descent. ...
  3. Don't sleep during takeoffs and landings. ...
  4. Reconsider travel plans. ...
  5. Use an over-the-counter nasal spray. ...
  6. Use decongestant pills cautiously. ...
  7. Take allergy medication.


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Take a decongestant before your flight. Reducing congestion will help prevent ear barotrauma (airplane ear). Remember to swallow and yawn during plane takeoff and landing. This helps your eustachian tubes open.

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Active noise-canceling headphones protect your hearing to some degree because, with the blocking of ambient outside noise, you don't have to listen to your music as loud. But that doesn't mean you can't still damage your hearing with noise-canceling headphones.

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