Traveling is one of life’s greatest joys, but for those dealing with tinnitus, it can sometimes feel more like a challenge than an adventure. Whether it’s the hum of the plane, a long road trip, or changes in sleep patterns, managing tinnitus while traveling takes a bit of planning. The good news is that many people have found ways to travel comfortably. If you use hearing aids for tinnitus, you already have a tool that can help make your trips smoother.
"As a recent graduate who’s achieved stage four habituation, I cannot thank Treble Health enough for getting me to the finish line."
"As a recent graduate who’s achieved stage four habituation, I cannot thank Treble Health enough for getting me to the finish line."
– Louis
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Can You Fly with Tinnitus?
Yes, most people with tinnitus can fly safely. Unless you have just had ear surgery or a perforated eardrum, flying is usually fine. According to Tinnitus UK, any discomfort is typically minor and temporary.
Tips to Manage Tinnitus When Flying
- Stay awake during descent to help your ears adjust to pressure changes.
- Chew gum or suck on candy to encourage swallowing and equalize pressure.
- Avoid flying with a cold or sinus infection.
- Use a nasal decongestant to keep airways open.
- Sit near the front of the plane where engine noise is lower.
- Avoid foam earplugs that completely block sound since they can make tinnitus more noticeable.
Does Cabin Pressure Make Tinnitus Worse?
The Eustachian tubes balance pressure in your ears. When cabin pressure changes quickly, like during takeoff or landing, they need to work harder. For people with tinnitus, this change might cause sounds to seem louder or more distorted temporarily. Swallowing or yawning can help open these tubes and relieve pressure.
Does Jet Lag Affect Tinnitus?
Jet lag disrupts your internal clock and can affect sleep. For people with tinnitus, poor sleep is a common trigger. A study by Crönlein et al. found that fatigue can reduce the brain’s ability to filter out tinnitus, making it more noticeable (PubMed). To avoid jet lag worsening your symptoms:
- Try to sleep on the plane if traveling across time zones.
- Use eye masks and neck pillows to improve comfort.
- Stay hydrated and avoid too much caffeine or alcohol.
- Spend time in sunlight at your destination to help reset your internal clock.
What About Road Trips?
Long car rides can be tiring but also provide more control over your environment. You can bring your own music or white noise machine, stop when needed, and avoid loud settings like airports.
Tips for Road Travel with Tinnitus
- Bring your hearing aids for tinnitus and make sure they are fully charged.
- Pack spare batteries or a charger.
- Use white noise or calming playlists to distract from tinnitus.
- Plan for frequent breaks to avoid fatigue.
- Stay well-rested before your trip.
What are the best travel earplugs for tinnitus?
Earplugs can be helpful but choose the right type. According to Treble Health, custom and filtered earplugs work better than foam ones for tinnitus.
Recommended Options
- Loop Engage: Reduces noise while letting speech stay clear. Great for flights.
- Musician In-Ear Monitors: Higher cost, but excellent for sound clarity and protection.
- Custom Earplugs: Fit made by audiologists ensures comfort and protection.
- Non-Custom Silicone Plugs: Affordable and reusable with some noise filtering.
Avoid foam plugs unless necessary, as they block all noise and may make tinnitus louder.
Can noise-canceling headphones help with tinnitus when flying?
Not always. While some people think noise-canceling headphones can help, they actually worsen tinnitus for certain individuals. This is because the headphones send a phase-canceling sound to block noise, which may make tinnitus more noticeable. A better option is to use 3M headphones or similar noise-attenuating ear protection, which lowers background noise without adding additional sound signals. This allows you to manage the noise level more comfortably during flights.
Will Tinnitus Stop You from Flying?
In most cases, it will not. According to Tinnitus UK, only those with certain medical conditions like recent ear surgeries or active ear infections need to check with a specialist before booking flights.
Does Cabin Noise Make It Worse?
Some people with tinnitus worry that loud engines may make symptoms worse. Cabin noise typically stays within safe ranges, but takeoff and landing can be loud. If the engine noise bothers you, consider sitting toward the front of the plane. Use noise-filtering earplugs instead of total blockers.
Treble Health Resources
Treble Health provides additional guidance on this topic. Check out our blog “Flying With Tinnitus” which offers tips on how to stay calm and comfortable during air travel. You can also watch this YouTube video explaining how tinnitus is affected during plane rides.
Did You Know?
- Airplane cabin noise averages 75 to 85 decibels, about as loud as a vacuum cleaner. For someone with tinnitus, that background hum can feel like stacking one ringing sound on top of another.
- Most people feel ear pressure when the cabin reaches around 8,000 feet. It’s similar to the sensation of driving up a steep mountain, but it happens much faster during a flight. For those with tinnitus, this pressure shift can make ringing more intense, even if only for a short time.
Quick Checklist Before You Travel
- Pack your hearing aids and charging case
- Bring earplugs or noise-attenuation headphones
- Download relaxing music or white noise apps
- Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol
- Plan for rest days to recover from jet lag
Take Charge of Your Travel Experience, Even with Tinnitus!
Tinnitus doesn’t have to stop you from seeing the world. Whether you are flying across the country or driving to the mountains, there are many ways to manage your symptoms and enjoy the journey. With a little planning and the right tools such as hearing aids for tinnitus, you can travel more comfortably and confidently.
At Treble Health, our team understands how travel can affect tinnitus and how small changes can make a big difference. With a personalized and whole-person approach, we have helped thousands find relief and regain control.
Do not wait for your symptoms to get worse. Book a free 20-minute telehealth consultation today to get expert guidance, explore treatment options, and take real steps toward better hearing and a better quality of life.
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- 75% of patients reduced their tinnitus within three months after following our recommendations.
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- Join thousands of people who have reduced their tinnitus after scheduling a free consultation.
