Recently Diagnosed — Advice on Flying

[ChrisSW]

I've been recently diagnosed with pulsatile tinnitus.

For the last couple months, I've heard a moderate pulsating sound in the right ear that sounds like a heartbeat with some vertigo.

About 6 months prior to being diagnosed I went on a flight from DC to CA and it was terribly painful.

Soon, I will be flying from CA to Peru on vacation.

I was wondering if anyone could offer advice on alleviating pain and/or what I should expect? Do pulsating sounds get louder? Dizziness increase?

I understand symptoms can be different but thought I'd see what others have experienced.

 

[Scared111]

my flights didn't change the tinnitus

 

[ChrisSW]

Thanks for the reply.

 

[jer]

I would use some very heavy duty headphones for the flight to protect your hearing!

 

[jer]

With headphones I mean the ones that construction workers use to protect their hearing during work. I have also read that noise cancelling headphones can be effective, but some have stated it hurt them. So I guess you need to try for yourself to see what works for you.

 

[Pat W.]

You can purchase special ear plugs for flying in any drugstore......check them out and let us know how they work for you....

 

[ChrisSW]

I used Sony headphones and listened to music, this seemed to help on the flight. While I was on the Peru trip, I had one day of really bad vertigo. I don't think it was related to the high altitude but who knows. It may have been more to do with allergies?? I tend to get bad allergies when I hike and I had just been to Machu Picchu the day before. Anywho, thanks for the advice. I use the headphones when I'm having trouble sleeping too.