How Air Travel Affects Hearing Loss And Ways To Prevent It

Most people look forward to going on holiday, but for some, it can result in issues with their hearing if they are travelling by plane.

This is caused by the changes in air pressure during a flight, which, in the worst case scenario, can even lead to perforation of the eardrum. It normally occurs during take-off or landing when the air pressure is undergoing its biggest change.

According to a report published in the National Library Of Medicine, one in ten adults and nearly a quarter of children experience damage to their eardrums after flying.

Symptoms can include earache, vertigo, stuffiness in the ear, muffled hearing or hearing loss as a result of inflammation of the eardrum due to air pressure, which is otherwise known as barotitis.

Some people might even experience severe pain, increased pressure, a constant ringing sound, or bleeding from the ear.

In most cases, these symptoms tend to go away on their own, although it might take a few days for full hearing to return to normal.

If it has not resolved itself after this time, it is worth speaking to an audiologist to determine whether other issues might be at play.

To reduce the chances of barotitis, it is worth wearing travel hearing protection, such as ear plugs, which help to regulate air pressure in the eardrum.

Passengers can also try to yawn or swallow when the plane is taking off or descending; close their mouth and pinch their nostrils while blowing, as this helps to equalise the pressure; use a nasal spray; and stay awake during ascent and descents.