What to do if tinnitus occurs when flying

Tinnitus in flight can affect hearing for a period of up to a week after the end of the flight.

Eliminating unpleasant things that seem to be small like tinnitus when flying will help you have a perfect vacation.

Reason

The phenomenon of buzzing or earache when sitting in an airplane occurs when there is a difference between the pressure inside and outside the ear. At this point, the Eustachian tube runs from the middle ear to the back of the nose, or is pinched, making the pressure in the middle ear unbalanced. The air that has formed inside the ear is absorbed, sucked, and stretches the eardrum inside, causing buzzing or earache. If the Eustachian tube does not open but continues to be closed, the liquid will seep into the interior through the membrane to fill the void, causing dizziness and hearing loss.

However, we do not need to worry because there are many ways to end this phenomenon. Here are some solutions:

Decongestants

Decongestants are effective for many people who suffer from buzzing and earache when flying.(Photo: Abcnews).

There is no specific evidence that oral decongestants can solve buzzing and earache when flying, but it is actually effective for many people. Taking a few decongestants in the form of tablets, spray or syrup 30 minutes before taking off can help the eardrum shrink and reduce buzzing and earache. However, taking this medicine too often is not recommended.

Swallow

Swallowing movement stimulates the Eustachian tube opening muscles. Therefore, it is possible to increase this movement by chewing gum or sucking on hard candy when flying. This will help prevent tinnitus.

Yawn

Keep your mind clear when the aircraft takes off or landed to ensure swallowing and yawning movements occur at a sufficient frequency to resolve the tinnitus.(Photo: Doctoroz).

Yawning can also cause the Eustachian tube to open so that air enters the middle ear, thereby balancing the pressure on the other side of the eardrum. But make sure you don't sleep when the plane is taken or landed because during sleep, yawning will not happen at a sufficient frequency to balance the internal pressure. This will make the buzzing and earache worse.

Frenzel Maneuver method

Implement the Frenzel Maneuver method by: closing your nose, then inhaling the air into your mouth until your cheeks are puffy. Close the larynx lid by preventing the amount of air being inhaled and going down the throat. Next, move the soft palate (soft flesh above the throat) to the intermediate position in the oral cavity and then use the tongue as a piston to push air back to the back of your throat. Thus, the phenomenon of buzzing and earache when sitting in an airplane will be solved.

Balloon

Blowing balloons is also an easy way to do but very effective in dealing with pain and tinnitus when flying.(Photo: Whenonearth).

Prevent pain and make the ears clear in each flight by blowing balloons attached to a small tube. Cover one side of the nose, then place the small tube with the ball attached to the other side and start blowing with the nose itself. The balloon swells up and then collapses again as we breathe in air. Repeat several times on the other side of the nose and the ear canal will be cleared, the buzzing and earache will go away.