Members Brittanylips Posted November 14, 2005 Members Share Posted November 14, 2005 Anybody ever get this: "Swimmer's ear" ??? yesterday I went swimming, and later in the day, one of my ear's entirely shut down. It simultaneously feels like someone stuffed a small rodent inside of it - there's pressure pushing inward and outward from deep inside. I think there's water trapped in the plumbing. One entire ear, working perfectly the day before, entirely doesn't work. It's just down. What a wierd sensation. First, hearing is just not the same flying with one propeller instead of two. Then, there's the whole thing about equilibrium. That's off. Then, there's the rodent-stuffed-in-the-ear sensation -- I find myself periodically shaking my head like a wet dog, trying to hurl it out. Sleep? Not so much. Well, off to the EarNoseThroat doc (have I ever been to one of these guys? Maybe as a kid) to fix this thing. Man, it's wierd. It's a good thing I don't use my ears that much in my line of work.... - Peace, Love, and Brittanylips Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bbach Posted November 14, 2005 Members Share Posted November 14, 2005 My daughter used to get that. Had to put plugs in her ear when swimming. Somehow, she grew out of it, so by the time you hit 12, you should be ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members spokenward Posted November 14, 2005 Members Share Posted November 14, 2005 It might not be "swimmer's ear" which is an infectious condition. It could just be a cerumen obstruction that has rearranged itself. That's trivial in the right hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tedster Posted November 14, 2005 Members Share Posted November 14, 2005 Yes, by all means, go to a doctor. They'll get you straightened right out. I've had that before, same identical condition. Most likely a wax buildup, but, yeah, could be an infection, too. Either way, you'll be feeling a lot better (most likely) by the time you leave the office. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brittanylips Posted November 14, 2005 Author Members Share Posted November 14, 2005 All of the above! Just came back from the otorhinolaryngologist. And there it is: swimming had exacerbated/impacted a wax build-up that was obstructing my ear drum. Now, all better! It's nice when things can be fixed. He also cleaned out my ear-ies, and admonished me: "as a musician, you should be coming in here once (or more) a year to clean these suckers out." Good advice. For all of us music types. So, I left his office hearing better than when I came in AND learned what an otorhinolaryngologist is, although I can't pronounce it. You know, it makes sense. We spend all this money on audio equipment / monitors, and then we neglect our ears. We should really view otorhinolaryngologists as "gynocologists for musicians," and see them for regular checkups. I'm sold. -Peace, Love, and Brittanylips Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tedster Posted November 14, 2005 Members Share Posted November 14, 2005 It's easier to say "ENT" (ear, nose, and throat specialist). Basic ear cleaning can often be done by your family doctor, rather than seeing a specialist. They take a syringe, fill it with a warm water solution and shoot it at high pressure into your ear. It feels really weird, but it doesn't hurt...and all that crap comes shooting out into a bedpan. And you can hear again!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BLAblablah Posted November 14, 2005 Members Share Posted November 14, 2005 Originally posted by Tedster It's easier to say "ENT" (ear, nose, and throat specialist). Basic ear cleaning can often be done by your family doctor, rather than seeing a specialist. They take a syringe, fill it with a warm water solution and shoot it at high pressure into your ear. ear-igation? Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Ani Posted November 14, 2005 Members Share Posted November 14, 2005 Being a swimmer for many years I have learned different ways to deal with swimmer's ear. Ear plugs work for many but they drive me up a wall. I know that you have already remedied your situation through medical means, but a few techniques that I use to remove stalled water from my ear are as follows: On site, rather than jerking my head, pounding on the opposite side of my head and other extreme measures that some go through at the pool; I will tilt my head in the direction of the clog and gently pull on the ear lobe of the affected ear in a downward motion. Often times this will release the pressure and allow the water to drain if it is a fresh instance of the clog. Other times, if the above suggestion does not immediately relieve the pressure, I will resubmerge beneath the water allowing both ears to fill up with water. I place my fingers over both ears closing them shut and then tilt my head back as far as I can releasing the fingerhold on my ears AS I am surfacing above the water line and then I immediately pull the lobes as above; this has helped many times. Sometimes if the clog is heavy, tilting my head in the direction of the clog as I'm surfacing works.... but you also chance the other ear clogging unless you plug it prior to submerging. When the above methods fail to work and I've tried the YAWNING technique while tilting the head toward the clog, to no avail; then I will allow my ears to fill up with "warm" shower water and then bend over straight legged and place my hands on the floor (allowing my head level to be lower than my knees). If there happens to be a shower bench at the pool facilities; I sit on the bench in a straddled position while lowering my head between my knees nearing the floor level. May sound kinky as hell, but HEY... it works. I hate water clogged in my ears and I can be shameless in attempts to clear it out. If the clog still persists, then I will repeat the first technique of gently pulling on the lobe while using a warm blow dryer aimed at the backside of my ear, allowing just a very indirect gentle flow of the warm air to enter into my ear. Pulling on the lobe appears to release the pressure, while the blow dryer evaporates the excess water and warms the wax enough to flow. I never blow the heat directly into the ear canal, and I always use a low setting when doing this. Very rarely do I ever have to go this far; usually I've cleared the swimmer's ear before ever leaving the pool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fantasticsound Posted November 14, 2005 Members Share Posted November 14, 2005 Originally posted by Brittanylips ...So, I left his office hearing better than when I came in AND learned what an otorhinolaryngologist is, although I can't pronounce it... Sure you can! It's really easy when you break the word down into its' parts. Greek derived words are great when it comes to tearing them down. from Answers.com: WORD HISTORY Otorhinolaryngology is the type of medical specialty that drives the layperson to despair, both of pronouncing the word properly and of having any notion of what it means. The words ear, nose, and throat are quite clear, however, and that is what is meant by oto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members felix Posted November 14, 2005 Members Share Posted November 14, 2005 Well it didn't even take me going and seeing one of those last time I messed my ear up. I was sick and had to fly. All the way there my ear wouldn't "pop," regardless of how much gum-chewing, yawning, and other tricks I tried, and all weekend long, I stayed stopped up with a messed-up ear. But it was on the return flight that things really went wrong. My ear finally popped itself - the tympanic membrane ruptured. Ow! But strangely enough, it really did feel better afterward. Went to a doctor, they told me what had happened, and it took about 2 weeks to heal on its own. While the membrane was healing, I was very sensitive to certain frequencies. Pretty awful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 I hear you Mr Lips... I had a nasty upper resperatory infection that held me down for over three weeks, and I STILL have a bit of congestion in my left ear. It's driving me nuts! But your advice about seeing an ENT is sound (pardon the pun ) and I think I'm due for a cleaning and a hearing test. Gotta take care of the ears in our business, huh? Glad to hear (again with the puns ) you're doing better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members John Sayers Posted November 14, 2005 Members Share Posted November 14, 2005 FYI - those ear candles don't work!! Annual ear cleaning by a doctor with a syringe and warm water is the best method. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fantasticsound Posted November 14, 2005 Members Share Posted November 14, 2005 Originally posted by Phil O'Keefe ...I think I'm due for a cleaning and a hearing test. ... Well, with those big ole' honkin' Yoda ears of course you could use a cleaning! The swamps of Dagobah are murder on your ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mr. Botch Posted November 15, 2005 Members Share Posted November 15, 2005 It's easier to say "ENT" (ear, nose, and throat specialist). Basic ear cleaning can often be done by your family doctor, rather than seeing a specialist. They take a syringe, fill it with a warm water solution and shoot it at high pressure into your ear. This can also be a DYI project (before some of you start screaming, this was suggested to me by my own ENT). At the drugstore you can pick up an earwax softener (I want to call it Vioxx, but that's not right, it was something-ioxx... ) and an ear syringe. Use the softener twice a day per package directions for three days, then use the syringe to power out the gunk while in the shower; I now do this about once a year. There's a very big issue here for us musicians: the frequency response of your hearing changes DRASTICALLY after you do this! I wonder if its best to do this right before a critical mixing session, halfway through, or what? Additionally, we have to realize our "audience" will be in various states of "ear-pluggedness" too, and will all hear your mix differently. Interesting problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members spokenward Posted November 15, 2005 Members Share Posted November 15, 2005 Botch, I think that you are thinking of Debrox. My childhood Ear Nose and Throat doctor was also my grandfather. He told me to never put anything in my ear except my elbow. It's still pretty good advice. There is more going on in your ears than just the eardrum. Sounds Like a Good Hair Day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members midinut Posted November 15, 2005 Members Share Posted November 15, 2005 Last time I went to the ENT I ended up with an appointment at the audiologist and a set of digital hearing aids. It really freaked me out when I first got them, but I'm kinda used to them now. Amazing what a difference they can make. My mixes sound MUCH better now because I'm not overcompensating certain frequencies. I go back once a year and if my hearing changes, she plugs my hearing aids into her computer via USB and can change the frenquencies. They have 16 band EQ's in each ear. I got lucky that my insurance at work covered most of the expense. Other than having to buy batteries instead of beer ... I see no downside! BTW Mutineer ... thanks for the link to the old "Contemporary" Keyboard Magazine Soundsheets. I've been having flashbacks for hours now. I thought I'd share them here with everyone again if you don't object. I hope some of you are old enough to remember these! If not I'm getting REAL old! http://www.keyboardmuseum.org/soundsheet/soundsheet.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brittanylips Posted November 15, 2005 Author Members Share Posted November 15, 2005 Originally posted by Phil O'Keefe I hear you Mr Lips... I had a nasty upper resperatory infection that held me down for over three weeks, and I STILL have a bit of congestion in my left ear. It's driving me nuts! But your advice about seeing an ENT is sound (pardon the pun ) and I think I'm due for a cleaning and a hearing test. Gotta take care of the ears in our business, huh? Glad to hear (again with the puns ) you're doing better! Sorry to hear about your URI. It's really amazing about ears - we take them for granted, but if something goes wrong, it really screws us up. Can't hear. Can't balance. Can't sleep. Can't perform triple sowcows in the olympic figure skating trials with the usual level of polish and finesse. The ENT guy ran a hearing test and showed me my hearing over the freq spectrum. Glad to say, my hearing is fine. But I could see the drop off - where and how much - as the frequency got higher and higher. I know of more than one recording engineer whose hearing degredation has effected their mixing. it's only natural. just as if someone secretly snuck a low pass filter just before your monitors causing you to unwittingly compensate, engineers whose hearing goes south naturally compensate as they mix to their personal (and distorted) sense of flat. i wonder if there might be a plug in one day that could be fed one's own, personal, hearing profile. Then, after you mixed to whatever sounded good to you, you would run the mix through the plug-in and it would compensate for whatever hearing idiosyncracies you happened to have - normalizing your mix to a model of standard hearing across the general population. -Peace, Love, and Brittanylips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brittanylips Posted November 15, 2005 Author Members Share Posted November 15, 2005 Originally posted by Tedster Basic ear cleaning can often be done by your family doctor, rather than seeing a specialist. They take a syringe, fill it with a warm water solution and shoot it at high pressure into your ear. It feels really weird, but it doesn't hurt...and all that crap comes shooting out into a bedpan. And you can hear again!!! You really do hear better after they sand blast your ear canals! If the difference in hearing was transfered to a piece of outboard equipment with an outrageous price - $2000 and your monitors will sound that much better - I bet people would be more apt to go through with it. I really hadn't thought that I could get better hearing through a pro cleaning. But I did. It really works. I do, however, disagree with you (and Botch) that this can be done just as well with a GP, or a DIY kit. The specialist had all sorts of high tech gear, tools, and expertise, and so as I see it, I think it's really worth going to someone who's all about ears. You know, sort of like going to a Mastering Engineer for the final tweaks. -PL&B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brittanylips Posted November 15, 2005 Author Members Share Posted November 15, 2005 Originally posted by Ani Being a swimmer for many years I have learned different ways to deal with swimmer's ear.... Thanks for the excellent suggestions. I'm going to save your post! Also, the ENT guy suggested I put some "Swim-EAR" drops into my ears after I swim, which help dry the water and inhibit infection. -Peace, Love, and Blips Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TheWewus Posted November 15, 2005 Members Share Posted November 15, 2005 I think the obvious solution to your problem that everyone here is missing is to plug your ears with two small garlic cloves when swimming. Why do I have to keep telling you people these things? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Originally posted by TheWewus I think the obvious solution to your problem that everyone here is missing is to plug your ears with two small garlic cloves when swimming. Why do I have to keep telling you people these things? I'd listen to him on this one... after all, dolphins spend a lot of time in the water... if anyone should know about such matters, it would seem to me that it would be a dolphin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Ani Posted November 16, 2005 Members Share Posted November 16, 2005 Originally posted by Brittanylips Thanks for the excellent suggestions. I'm going to save your post!Also, the ENT guy suggested I put some "Swim-EAR" drops into my ears after I swim, which help dry the water and inhibit infection.-Peace, Love, and Blips You're most welcome Brittanylips! Something that I might add, if indeed you are swimming indoors and throughout the cooler winter weather months, before leaving the swimming facility make sure to protect your ears away from the cold weather. Either blow dry your hair "DRY"and allow some of the warm air flow into your ears to evaporate excess water, even without a clog, or wear a hat, scarf, earmuffs, or a full length muffler shielding your ears away from the cold. There's a BIG difference between swimmer's ear and an ear infection.... the swimmer's ear is annoying and can cause discomfort.... a real ear infection, especially if it turns severe, can knock you flat on your can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brittanylips Posted November 16, 2005 Author Members Share Posted November 16, 2005 Thanks. I just started to LOVE swimming and plan to continue - so thanks for the advice. -PL&B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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