Flying Helps Me

Funny you should say this. I have the SAME thing happen when flying at 2500 ft and higher. I have told this to every ENT I have seen since 2003 yet no one makes the correlation between the barometric pressure and the return of my ear function. One Dr. said, "well you can't live in a barometric pressure chamber all your life." Not only does the tinnitus stop, my left ear, which has been tested as 80% hearing loss, completely returns to normal. I can hear what's being said at the back of the plane. As the plane begins it's decent, the hearing loss returns as does the tinnitus. I have been told ear tubes would not help. I guess my only solution is to move to Colorado. I am relieved to know someone else experiences this same phenomena. I know I'm not alone. Perhaps you'll have success in finding a Dr. who can relate. Best wishes in your journey.

 

This makes sense to me, if we think about Meniere's as inner-ear inflammation, or rather, something putting 'pressure' on the ear structures (such as a misaligned TMJ pushing into the complex intersection of nerves in that area). Should that pressure be reduced, symptoms should ease. You may still live with the same inflammatory triggers are before (viral, allergic, etc), but the structural change may resolve the 'build-up' in inflammation that would lead to symptoms before.
Just my theory.

 

to EkkoMusic: Interesting you should mention this. I have TMJ...have spent thousands on several appliances, $8,000 on a set of appliances, with no success with either the TMJ or the ear function. I have asked my dentists if the TMJ could be affecting the ear, which I have read is quite possible. I KNOW these is a connection but Ihave not found one dentist or ENT that will attest to this possibility. The TMJ is on the same side as the tinnitus and hearing loss. However, it's the vertigo that is my most debilitating symptom. I have been diagnosed several times from 2003 to present, with Meniere's (the latest in 2020 at Duke University) but the symptoms became worse with TMJ. At present, I have lived with tinnitus for so long I barely notice it, I am managing the vertigo, at times with mild medication, and dealing with TMJ...somedays are better than others...just need to be aware of what and how I chew. I am resigned to knowing this is now my normal. I have had 4 rounds of 3 injections per round, of steriod ear injections which do help with the vertigo, so that's a plus.

 

You can't open your mouth wide, your jaw cracks, locks, and painful.

 

See a GNM Dentist who can do a CBCT scan of your head.

 

I have no idea if there is any correlation, but when Im up above 5,000 ft elevation, mountains etc, I actually feel much better. Or it could be a placebo effect, getting into the outdoors and camping has always been cathartic for me.

 

I am wondering what the scientific explanation to this is. Do elevation changes cause physical or chemical changes to the inner-ear structure that relate to pressure? Could the endolymphatic sac itself be changing (expanding, perhaps) at higher altitudes?

 

I would love to know the answer to this myself....no one I have seen can provide an explanation.

 

I imagine that ENT doctors are hearing stories all the time from sufferers about symptoms vanishing and the supposed cause of this. It makes some sense - but you can't live your life at 20,000 feet.

 

It is quite possible that other inflammatory related illnesses besides tinnitus also abate temporarily when you fly - but there is no noticeable improvement during the flight - or if there is - it may be attributed to the natural ebb and flow of symptoms experienced by sufferers. For a tinnitus sufferer like myself who has continual tinnitus with no breaks and little variation in intensity - obviously sudden silence on a flight is going to lead to the justified conclusion that change in cabin pressure is responsible for the dramatic improvement.
But I do not know how this causal link could be of any help to ENT doctors. We all try to tackle the supposed inflammation mainly through diet - low salt low sugar etc - and are often convinced this is doing some good - depriving ourselves of foods we enjoy to take the edge off the ringing - and we are trying and experimenting with vitamins and supplement endlessly - yoga - reiki - pilates etc etc. Maybe get a job in the ISS or work as an airline pilot LOL. Something has to work!

 

Again, my theory is that Meniere's is all about pressure. What occurs when we fly? Pressure changes.