Air Travel: How Do You Handle Hearing Protection During Take-Offs and Landings?

[Possum]

I need to travel soon, and I have reactive tinnitus.

I'm trying to decide between a 1.5-hour flight and a two-day train ride.

Two days on a train seems excruciating! I know the interior of a passenger train is quieter than that of an airplane, but there will still be a constant drone of noise, right? I'm worried about the effect that drone might have after listening to it for 48 hours straight.

For the flight, I know I can wear earplugs and earmuffs, but I've heard it's very dangerous to keep earplugs on during takeoff and landing because of the sudden changes in air pressure. There needs to be a free flow of air in the ear canal, right?

I also know that takeoff is the loudest part of a flight, reportedly reaching up to 105 dB. To me, it seems pointless to use earplugs on a flight if you can't wear them during the loudest part of the journey. Wouldn't all the potential damage occur at that point? It feels like putting them on after the plane is already in the air would be too late.

 

[Mark F.]

I need to travel soon, and I have reactive tinnitus.

I'm trying to decide between a 1.5-hour flight and a two-day train ride.

Two days on a train seems excruciating! I know the interior of a passenger train is quieter than that of an airplane, but there will still be a constant drone of noise, right? I'm worried about the effect that drone might have after listening to it for 48 hours straight.

For the flight, I know I can wear earplugs and earmuffs, but I've heard it's very dangerous to keep earplugs on during takeoff and landing because of the sudden changes in air pressure. There needs to be a free flow of air in the ear canal, right?

I also know that takeoff is the loudest part of a flight, reportedly reaching up to 105 dB. To me, it seems pointless to use earplugs on a flight if you can't wear them during the loudest part of the journey. Wouldn't all the potential damage occur at that point? It feels like putting them on after the plane is already in the air would be too late.

I've flown 3- to 5-hour flights several times over the past 1.5 years, and I always put in foam earplugs before takeoff, leaving them in until the plane has landed. Fortunately, I don't experience reactive tinnitus, and this method has worked well for me without any issues. I agree with you—if you can't wear earplugs during the loudest parts of flying, then what's the point?