Table of contents:
- Problems due to ear problems when driving
- How to deal with ringing in the ears when driving
- 1. Suck on candy
- 2. Regulate breathing
- 3. Avoid sleeping when landing
- 4. Yawn
- 5. Blow a special balloon
- 6. Taking certain drugs
- Attention!
Have you ever felt your ears "deaf" in one side, or even ringing, when you are driving for a long time or on a plane? This is a middle ear disorder caused by changes in air pressure, and usually occurs more often if you have the flu, have nasal congestion, allergies or sinus infections, and other hearing-related illnesses.
What do people feel when driving when they have ear problems? Is there any way to deal with ringing ears when you drive or ride certain modes of transportation?
Problems due to ear problems when driving
Some people do have problems with their ears when riding certain modes of transportation. However, this ringing in the ears can also happen when you are diving or driving in the mountains.
Usually this causes temporary earache and hearing loss in one or both ears.
Some of the problems that are usually faced by patients with ear problems while driving, are:
- Ear pain
- Feelings of full or blocked ears
- Hearing loss
- Buzzing
- Dizzy
- Bleeding from the ear
- Pain in the middle ear
- There is pressure on the ear
Basically, people who have some of the diseases described above are not advised to fly or board an airplane. However, in some cases, it may be impossible to postpone the trip because of these problems.
How to deal with ringing in the ears when driving
Therefore, here are some tips for dealing with distraction or ringing ears when driving:
1. Suck on candy
Not only does it relieve motion sickness, sucking on candy can actually help you deal with ringing in your ears while driving.
Sucking or sucking on candy as the plane starts to land allows air to flow up the Eustachian tube. This also applies when you swallow, yawn, or chew. For babies, you can give them food or drink when the plane starts to land to make them swallow something.
2. Regulate breathing
Try taking a deep breath, then exhaling slowly with your mouth closed while squeezing / covering your nose (valsalva maneuver). This way, no air is blown out, but you will gently push the air into the Eustachian tube. If you do this, you will feel your ear 'pop' as a sign that air is being pushed into the middle ear. This is often done to treat ringing in the ears. Repeat this every few minutes until the plane lands or until your ears feel comfortable.
3. Avoid sleeping when landing
Do not sleep when the plane lands or when there is a change in air pressure. Ask someone to wake you when you land. If you are awake, do method number 1. That way, you can be free from ringing ears when driving.
4. Yawn
Yawning also has the same benefits as swallowing and chewing. That is why, this method is also believed to be able to help you deal with ringing ears when driving.
However, apart from that, you also need to perform the Valsalva maneuver, the same as in number 2. This will push air into the Eustachian tube, so that the ears will not buzz and hurt.
5. Blow a special balloon
Blowing a special balloon can stop the pain during flight and help eliminate buzzing in the ears after landing. One of these special balloon products is Otovent. These items are usually determined by your doctor at the time of your examination, or you can buy them from a pharmacist. This balloon is attached to the tube, then you place the tube in one nostril. Then you blow it while covering one nostril with your finger and keeping your mouth closed. Then, stop blowing it and start breathing normally. Air will go out of the balloon. After that, you can repeat it using the opposite nostril.
6. Taking certain drugs
Your doctor may prescribe medication or suggest that you take medication to treat ringing in the ears, either while driving or if you experience it constantly.
Medicines are administered to control conditions that can prevent the Eustachian tube from working properly. These drugs include:
- Decongestant nasal sprays
- Oral decongestants
- Oral antihistamines
To ease discomfort, you can take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium, or take an analgesic pain reliever, such as acetaminophen.
Attention!
If the disturbance lasts for a long time, then you should do therapy with the help of a doctor or perform surgery. Ear distraction surgery is rarely necessary. However, your doctor can make an incision in your eardrum to reduce air pressure and drain the fluid inside. Severe injuries, such as a ruptured eardrum or ruptured inner ear membrane, usually heal on their own. However, in some rare cases, surgery may be needed to correct it.
