Your Ears

[Steve Honest]

Hi Chaps

So im sure everybody on tis site would have to agree , we all own some tasty bits of Kit, and we all have our cherished , soetimes not so agreed ideas about how you implement this gear and when,
But I know we all own the most essential bit of Kit , a good set of ears.
But, what about Maintenance?

Could we agree a Method on maintain our ears , we wouldn't hesitate to spend money on preventative maitence on the Neve or the SSL, or sending a 47 away to a trusted tech to get the capsule cleaned, but what about the old Lug Holes? when do we clean them? when do we dewax them? how often? whats the best technique available?
Before a long tracking job, after o dubs and before a mix? every 6 months , or 1 year or 2 years?

I have done nothing t my ears in 30 years, am i due a Oil change? i know i need a lube job!!!!

steve

[jimmydeluxe]

Every doctor and specialist I've asked said don't--ears are self-cleaning, wax is supposed to be there and falls out when necessary. I guess you can use those flushing kits if you must, but using a q-tip or anything else jams as much wax further down creating impactment than you may pull out.

The best maintenance for ears is keeping the volume nominal/varied and rest. Also, as much as I love coffee, caffeine is not good for the ears and will cause or increase ringing.

[Steve Honest]

Hello and thanks Jimmy for being the first respondent, and you make an interesting point, Ears are self cleaning,
How about, if, like myself a person spends a fair bit of time on dusty building sites? do you get airborne stuff build up that needs to be removed? or will the ear self regulate?
FOr my own part, i odnt like to work loud at all, sometimes ill knock up the volume for a very short while to listen out for this and that , but for most of the time, i work at a level one can easily speak over, for a critical listen i will sit thru a pass a very low volume as i believe i can hear more by paying attention.

So chaps , over to you, do we agree that Jimmys advice to leave those FA cup handles alone is best?

steve

[jimmydeluxe]

It's not my advice, it's doctors' advice--take it or leave it thumbsup

I know it's not regarded as harmful to use the drops-and-flush pharmacy kit technique, so if you've gone 30 years without having them seen by a doctor, you could give that a shot.

Side-story: I saw a band that was so loud once, I jammed earplugs as hard as I could into my ears. Afterward, I couldn't hear much out of my left ear for a couple days and was extremely worried--I
thought it was permanent hearing damage despite the plugs. I saw my buddy in E.R.--turns out it was impacted wax from wearing plugs a lot and especially jamming them in that night. It hurt like hell
getting it scraped off, but my hearing was fine after that.

[explorer]

If you don't have a problem with your ears I would leave them well alone. They are self cleaning and self regulating.

[jordanvoth]

I use a product called Murine. It's a flushing kit, costs $15 and works perfect. Just put the drops in, leave it for a few minutes and flush with warm water. Works very well.

[Steve Honest]

hi there
thanks for this info,
how often is it recommended to apply? and other than the manufacturer did anybody else recommend this course?
cheers
steve

[Tone Laborer]

"Debrox" is the product I find in my local pharmacy. Put in a few drops while you lay on your side. Chomping /rotating your jaw helps get the fluid in deep into the ear canal. Lay there about 10 minutes, then I usually hit the shower to rinse. After the shower, a few drops of alcohol to evaporate any remaining moisture. I often repeat this procedure a few consecutive days to fully loosen the excess wax.

Works for me, but I'm not a Doctor, nor do I play one on TV.

I don't really consider Debrox high end though...

[MarkyGoldstein]

I can really recommend visiting the ear doc once a year, maybe for cleaning, checking, etc. It's like treating your car well.

[Marineville]

I have just returned from having my ears cleaned out. Went up to Harley Street (London) where the chap used a very small vacuum to suck the wax out. I'd not been able to hear anything in my right ear since I woke up yesterday (thought my career was over!) and the relief is immense, cured my headache and blocked sinuses too.

I asked him what I should do to keep my ears in tip top shape and his reply was that ears are self cleaning and need no maintenance. Putting anything in your ear - ear drops, olive oil, cotton buds - can and will lead to an ear infection and he advised against it.

My World is in stereo again!

[Steve Honest]

HI there
So advice there from a Harley st doctor, may i ask , which Doctor on Harley st was it? so i can reference his advice? i feel im a little quiet in my right ear, and
thi si what has promoted the asking of this, perhaps i need a little expert rinse out to get a bed bug out my lug?
cheer
steve

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by Steve Honest

I have done nothing t my ears in 30 years, am i due a Oil change? i know i need a lube job!!!!

Just had what should have been a routine physical (except that it's only the second one I've had in ~20 years) earlier this week, and mentioned that my ears have lately felt a bit congested, like they never quite depressurized from an airline flight, and I suspected it was impacting my high frequency response, especially in one ear. Two doctors poked around with an otoscope (?) and eventually their diagnosis was

"Well, yes, there's definitely something going on in there."



!?!?!?!?!?!


Subsequently they offered a slightly more "professional" sounding diagnosis, & we're pursuing a course that may eventually require the involvement of an EN&T specialist, but my point is YES, don't overlook routine maintenance of your most important tools. I know I did, for way too long.

[Edit: and by "routine maintenance" I don't mean something you have to do; just see a doctor regularly.]

[doorknocker]

Originally Posted by jimmydeluxe

Every doctor and specialist I've asked said don't--ears are self-cleaning, wax is supposed to be there and falls out when necessary. I guess you can use those flushing kits if you must, but using a q-tip or anything else jams as much wax further down creating impactment than you may pull out.

If I didn't have my ears cleaned by a specialist at least once a year I would be 100% deaf, believe me! Some people are prone to extreme dirt buildup in their ears and I'm one of them. My left ear is much worse by the way.

The good news is that it's a kind of natural hearing protection for me and it probably saved me from tinnitus a few times when being exposed to moronic live mixers or band members that 'forgot' to turn down the master on the rehearsal PA when trying their beloved digital reverbs ()

But I never would try to clean my ears on my own. Luckily I found a very good doctor here that is both very careful and meticulous when doing the procedure. I may seem like a minor issue but believe me, I went to several 'ear specialist' that just weren't right for me. Like any other job, some doctors are very good at it and others are so-so.

Originally Posted by jimmydeluxe

The best maintenance for ears is keeping the volume nominal/varied and rest. Also, as much as I love coffee, caffeine is not good for the ears and will cause or increase ringing.

If that would be true I would be suffering extreme tunnitus by now. I stopped smoking 12 years ago, I don't do drugs, I'm pretty careful with alcohol, I jog......but LET ME HAVE MY COFFEE!! Lots of it actually, I love it!

[jordanvoth]

Originally Posted by Steve Honest

hi there
thanks for this info,
how often is it recommended to apply? and other than the manufacturer did anybody else recommend this course?
cheers
steve

The package says four times a day as needed but I never have the time to do it daily. So I do it once a week.

[gussyg2007]

Pardon ....... Sorry

[jimmydeluxe]

Originally Posted by doorknocker

If I didn't have my ears cleaned by a specialist at least once a year I would be 100% deaf, believe me! Some people are prone to extreme dirt buildup in their ears and I'm one of them. My left ear is much worse by the way.

The good news is that it's a kind of natural hearing protection for me and it probably saved me from tinnitus a few times when being exposed to moronic live mixers or band members that 'forgot' to turn down the master on the rehearsal PA when trying their beloved digital reverbs ()

But I never would try to clean my ears on my own. Luckily I found a very good doctor here that is both very careful and meticulous when doing the procedure. I may seem like a minor issue but believe me, I went to several 'ear specialist' that just weren't right for me. Like any other job, some doctors are very good at it and others are so-so.


If that would be true I would be suffering extreme tunnitus by now. I stopped smoking 12 years ago, I don't do drugs, I'm pretty careful with alcohol, I jog......but LET ME HAVE MY COFFEE!! Lots of it actually, I love it!

Sorry--misspoke--will not cause ringing, but will definitely aggravate if you have it already. I drink a lot myself!

[T'Mershi Duween]

The best thing you can do for your ears is don't listen to $hitty music! thumbsup

[crosscutred]

Originally Posted by T'Mershi Duween

The best thing you can do for your ears is don't listen to $hitty music! thumbsup

And your soul

[Marineville]

Originally Posted by Steve Honest

HI there
So advice there from a Harley st doctor, may i ask , which Doctor on Harley st was it?

The Clear Ear Clinic in Cavendish Square, bottom of Harley Street.

[Flying_Dutchman]

nah, the virgin thing to get back isn´t easy imo
i mean hearing it like it should be
but too many time with the stuff...not easy anymore
turkish bath, much sleep, sports, sex
... no druqs, no alcohol, no kidding
back to session
new born ears
much faster decisions

imo: never mix more than 2 hours without brakes
maybe i´m wrong, but i can´t, just need 2 hours brake in between, go out with the dog, or whatever
haha, i´m a pussy

[markham]

I do a Debrox cleaning of my ears every few months just to clear things out. It helps me a good bit, actually. Especially since I moved to the jungle, the humidity just really causes increased wax production.

I also have to thoroughly clean my ears before flying. Like, I have to use Debrox for 30 minutes on each ear for 3 nights in a row. That helps me with ear pain on flights. I have constricted Eustachian tubes which can cause really severe ear pain when flying.

Personally, I do recommend a good cleaning every few months. It's good for me.

[heinz]

I would only add that the best thing you can do for ear maintenance and keeping your hearing healthy is visiting your audiologist, and getting fit for a custom set of earplugs. They are sometimes called musicians earplugs, and can be fitted with filters for different dB reduction amounts.

Wear them in high-volume situations like mad guitarists, drummers, going to clubs, concerts, even movies.

This is advice I wish I would've heeded 20 years ago.

[Ward Pike]

This varies for each individual, and we can only relate our own personal stories.

I'm 45 years old, my hearing is 100% in my left ear and a bit over 50% in my right ear- levels wise, but my brain has learned to compensate (swimming pool accident as a child). I recently had my ears tested for frequency response and the left is good to 16,100 cycles whilst the right is good to 15,800. So, how?

All I can say is what I do, with the recommendation from my ENT specialist 20 years ago.

Each shower, I lean my head to the right and then left and then the hot water run into them and then drain it out. Then a light cleaning with swabs, not too far into the canal, just a head so I can clean it. Hey, we clean everything else don't we? Soreness can be soothed with a little olive oil on a swab if a medicated treatment is not prescribed.

I also avoid having extra loud guitar amps, monitors or drums abuse my hearing also and am not adverse to using earplugs (even one) when necessary.

Other than that, staying healthy with a well balanced diet and plenty of water is only going to serve every bit of your body well.

Let's hope there are more personal stories!


Ward

[Steve Honest]

Originally Posted by T'Mershi Duween

The best thing you can do for your ears is don't listen to $hitty music! thumbsup

Hello there

With respect I have to object to what you have said, there is no shitty music.
When a customer books time with me , at my studio or wants us to work at another, there buying my full attention, to them, there project and to detail.

True there are some writers and musicians who are more accomplished tha others, but its not mine nor your place to judge them, if im working with somebody and they are amazing players i praise them, if im working with somebody and they are not so accomplished, i encourage them, thats my duty as a human being.

A lot of music that wouldn't have made it out there 15 years ago gets out and released , now there are less filters, but i would defend your right to make a record or write a song tooth and nail, good or bad, if yu have something to say in music , you have the right to say it.

Lets support new music,

steve

[Steve Honest]

Originally Posted by crosscutred

And your soul

I suggest you read the post just above , and consider your positon.
steve

[cortisol]

I do the same method as ward pike, lean in my head to the side to let warm water soften and dissolve my ear wax and using a cotton swab just into the ear canal (not pushing against anything to prevent the wax from compacting against a hard surface). I swirl the swab in the canal a bit and then draw out any wax. I also mildly stretch the entrance to the ear canal with the swab just in case any wax has hardened etc.

I sleep on my side and this must affect things. I too get more wax produced on my left hand side which is usually the side hitting the pillow.

My wife has smaller ear canal circumference than I do and experiences more sensitivity and discomfort when her ear canal changes shape than I do. We both wear in ear monitors... So I'm saying that our anatomy varies from person to person and so do the problems we experience. For instance I never get sinus troubles.

I hear cod liver oil is good for the cellular matrix and healthy elimination such as ear wax. But that was anecdotal. So when ever I forget to bring hearing protect to a gig etc then I take omega 3 capsules for a few days and my hearing is still pretty great. Luckily most venues sell foam hearing protection from behind the bar.

[crosscutred]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the reminder....
All be it slightly patronising.
It was meant in humour, and as you say we aren't there to judge.
I have to disagree with the notion there is no bad music..... because for me bad music is music made cynically with no connection to the soul.
I have heard recorded and enjoyed some music made by awful players and have nothing but respect for their endevours and hope that they gain from working with me, as I can learn from them.
I do have to, rarely, work with people who are making music for no other reason than to make money (often exploitation of artists is an unhappy byproduct) and they also benefit from my full attention and if I can, I try to bring some meaning to it.

"if yu have something to say in music , you have the right to say it."
I also contend if you have any opinion you have a right to voice it.

I also like a joke.
I like a joke with clients because it can relax them....
Take it easy.
Stress may have some negative effect on hearing as it can do on all aspects of health.
Cheers
Alex

[ears2thesky]

5 years ago while showering a blast of water got in my right ear and I suffered an immediate total loss of hearing in that ear. I shook excess water out and I still heard nothing (as though my thumb was inserted totally blocking sound). I purchased some OTC ear wax removal products including hydrogen peroxide and an ear syringe. I tried warm water. Nothing rectified the situation despite the fact that I could see copious amounts of wax being washed out. I wasn't in pain, but thought that I may have a perforated eardrum. The next day I repeated the procedures to no avail. I began the search for an ear doctor and was very concerned about a future in audio with one ear.
I decided to use the rest of the hydrogen peroxide in one more round of treatment. As I was shaking my head I heard a loud clank in the sink and observed a hardened chunk of earwax about the size of a 22. slug. The hearing returned in my right ear immediately to my great relief. Apparently the water from the shower had dislodged this chunk and blocked my ear canal. I was amazed at the size and density of the piece. I purchased a plastic device that has a small loop on one end and a large ring that prevents insertion in the ear too deep. It is very easy to clean out any extraneous wax without impacting the inner ear area. I use this tool regularly and am constantly amazed by the amount of hardened wax I remove. I highly recommend this procedure as it helps without having to put any liquids in the ear and doesn't remove all of the wax in the inner area. I get these things at Walgreens for about $7. They break occasionally and I immediately replace them as they have become a daily part of my hygiene regimen.

[Steve Honest]

Originally Posted by crosscutred

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the reminder....
All be it slightly patronising.
It was meant in humour, and as you say we aren't there to judge.
I have to disagree with the notion there is no bad music..... because for me bad music is music made cynically with no connection to the soul.
I have heard recorded and enjoyed some music made by awful players and have nothing but respect for their endevours and hope that they gain from working with me, as I can learn from them.
I do have to, rarely, work with people who are making music for no other reason than to make money (often exploitation of artists is an unhappy byproduct) and they also benefit from my full attention and if I can, I try to bring some meaning to it.

"if yu have something to say in music , you have the right to say it."
I also contend if you have any opinion you have a right to voice it.

I also like a joke.
I like a joke with clients because it can relax them....
Take it easy.
Stress may have some negative effect on hearing as it can do on all aspects of health.
Cheers
Alex

And thank you for the acknowledgement,
i did not intend to sound patronising , so f you feel patronised, i apologise,
so on the point of bad music , shall we civilly agree to disagree?
cheers
steve

[Baz]

I've used an ear candle a couple of times. The stuff it extracts is pretty nasty