Author Topic: Hearing issues :0( (Read 4378 times)

Twinfan · « **on:** February 29, 2008, 08:58:27 AM »

I'm hoping it's a temporary thing, but I've got some shitety hearing problems in my left ear at the moment :?

The doctor reckons I've got some fluid in my middle ear, and he thinks the Eustacian tube that leads to the throat is a bit bunged up. I'm chucking Olive Oil into it three or four times a day to try and clear it.

I've had muffled hearing which started about a week ago, and some tinnitus. On top of that, and a major issue, is if I play my guitar above normal TV levels my left ear echos/whistles/crackles and it's uncomfortable and shrill. Not good for a guitarist

Value your ears guys. I'll be wearing earplugs for gigs and rehearsals from now on as I don't want permanent problems being caused by anything.

(P.S. If this is linked to the cr@ppy shitety treble based skreechy tone I had pumped into my left ear by the wannabe Slash-a-like in a band called Headrush (who supported Airbourne) the other week, I may hunt him down seek revenge.......)

Nolly · « **Reply #1 on:** February 29, 2008, 09:06:26 AM »

Good call, I ordered a custom set of earplugs yesterday.

Hope it's just a temporary thing mate!

PeteyG · « **Reply #2 on:** February 29, 2008, 10:11:19 AM »

I've got the same kind of thing in my right ear at the moment, and I've just developed the Flu, so I hope it's linked, but I cannot hear properly at all out of my right ear, all muffled. It's horrible.

blue · « **Reply #3 on:** February 29, 2008, 10:33:40 AM »

i had a similar problem with my right ear, i think Motorhead did it!

i started wearing earplugs, the etymotic research ones, at nightclubs and gigs and it seems to have sorted itself out. that was a great relief as i was sure i had done permanent damage.

wearing the earplugs does give you a slight feeling of detachment at concerts, and it's hard to be sure if you're losing any high frequencies, but the fact that you can still hear when you go home does, i think, mean it's worth it!

Twinfan · « **Reply #4 on:** February 29, 2008, 10:48:42 AM »

I've got some of those Etymotic musician earplug things that I don't wear :roll: so I'm going to:

Avoid loud sounds for a little while
Use Olive Oil to clear any wax/fluid on the ear for a couple of weeks
Wear eaplugs from now on

I really hope that sorts it. I've been bunged up with cold for about a month so I think that's contributing to it too. Whatever it is, it's bloody horrible :(

Philly Q · « **Reply #5 on:** February 29, 2008, 11:36:21 AM »

I went to see Judas Priest a couple of years ago and got a bit of a fright because during the gig my ears seemed to get worn out, so all I could hear was a big rumble of bass with the guitar solos making a funny little high-pitched wee-wee-wee noise over the top. And my ears were ringing alarmingly the next day - I'm used to that "morning after" feeling, but this went on for more than 24 hours.

So like Blue, I've started wearing earplugs at the very occasional gigs I go to nowadays (I don't do nightclubs!

).

I can't remember the name of the plugs, but they have little "pins" in them that you can change for different levels of attenuation. They work really well - I can now hear songs instead of noise, there's no ear fatigue and no ringing, not even immediately after the gig.

I was thinking of getting some of those custom-made ones which fit right inside your ear. Quite expensive, but as a music fan (I won't call myself a musician :roll:

) I think it's worth the investment to preserve my hearing.

(EDIT: I meant to say, Dave, I'm sure your cold is contributing - my brother gets a similar thing occasionally. Hope it clears up soon!)

PeteyG · « **Reply #6 on:** February 29, 2008, 11:49:51 AM »

I try to remember my ear plugs for gigs, I easily prefer them because as people have said, your ears don't get worn out, and you hear the songs, rather than just a lot of loud noise. When I go to gigs and don't wear them I get a weird thing where everything seems to have shifted up a few semitones.

dave_mc · « **Reply #7 on:** February 29, 2008, 01:26:17 PM »

my ear's been annoying me since before christmas... i had an ear infection, and my eardrum burst (fluid from a previous cold, I think). Anyway, it's annoying (and hurt pretty badly before christmas). Bit better now, but still not completely right. feels funny rather than sore most of the time now, which isn't too bad (bit like the way you feel on a plane when your ears need to "pop").

Anyway, just be careful what you put in your ear- a lot of those things like oils etc. you aren't meant to use if you have a burst eardrum, and if you suspect it at all, might be worth getting it looked at by your GP.

:)

Twinfan · « **Reply #8 on:** February 29, 2008, 01:44:07 PM »

Yep, I agree. Before I did anything I went to the GP and it's him who told me about the Olive Oil. I've not got an infection or a burst eardrum, just some fluid and a slight pressure imbalance.

Thanks for letting me rant, folks!

lulusg · « **Reply #9 on:** February 29, 2008, 01:44:23 PM »

Wear earplugs everyday, day and night until your hearing comesback slowly, it might take a few days. Also get the high end ear plugs mentioned above when playing . Good luck.

hunter · « **Reply #10 on:** February 29, 2008, 03:32:53 PM »

shite man, all the best from here. Make sure you seek a second opinion if there is no quick recovery. Sometimes in these cases also ears need to be punctuated to get the fluids out and speed up recovery.

Last thing you want is a chronical issue where you start having scars on sensitive parts of the ear.

All the best good luck and fast recovery to you!!

Twinfan · « **Reply #11 on:** February 29, 2008, 03:36:13 PM »

Cheers Hunter :)

Mr Ed · « **Reply #12 on:** February 29, 2008, 03:54:38 PM »

I can't remember the name of the in-ear attenuators that I use... but I use them for every single practise I take part in, gig we play and even gigs I go to.

They're so ace: http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20.aspx

Total sound quality preservation but considerably reduces the noise and very comfy too! Trust me, they're amazing and so worth the £6-7 or so.

dave_mc · « **Reply #13 on:** February 29, 2008, 05:30:24 PM »

Quote from: Twinfan

Yep, I agree. Before I did anything I went to the GP and it's him who told me about the Olive Oil. I've not got an infection or a burst eardrum, just some fluid and a slight pressure imbalance.

Thanks for letting me rant, folks!

cheers dave, i figured you'd be sensible, just making sure. :)

Lazy_McDoesnothing · « **Reply #14 on:** February 29, 2008, 05:43:22 PM »

Good thread. Hope all goes well for you.

I say we all post links to good earplugs like Mr Ed to help others prevent this sort of thing. I'm definitely going to get some ear plugs, but I want to hear the same sound quality. I'm sick of leaving band practice with my ears ringing all night and into the next day.

Just tried ordering from that etymotic site but it said I was declined. I'll try again later or somewhere else if somebody posts something similar or better.