My ears hurt but don't ring. What the hell is wrong?

infiniteposse · 26th October 2005

Hi all-

About a month ago I was playing drums in my living room and kind of just banging away and started to feel some discomfort in my ears. I'm a brand new player (2-3 months, infrequent playing) and have taken excellent care of my ears throughout the majority of my life - custom molded ear plugs with 25db filters worn to the majority of shows I see and have played in very few loud bands. My ears also don't ring in any sort of significant way that I've perceived. High frequency perception still seems to be clear and detailed.

The discomfort is still around now and again and I seem to have a sensitivity to higher/moderate sound pressure levels now. I would describe the discomfort as sort of sharp. This evening I went and saw a show and wore my ear plugs and still felt discomfort during the show pretty far off stage next to the FOH booth. I asked the sound guy what levels we were at and he said about 100-103dbs...

One thing that seems to have perhaps coincided with the onset of the discomfort has been sinus congestion that seems to just be sticking around at the moment. I've been taking a decongestant when the ears hurt sometimes and it seems to help. This would lead me to think that my ear pain is sinus related somehow, but I'm confused how the higher pressure levels would set it off if that's the case...

I'm going to call and make a doctors appointment tommorrow, I just thought I'd check in with the slutz and see if anyone had any words of wisdom. I'm actually really scared at the thought that I did something bad to my ears. I've worked so hard over the years to protect them.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

Lee

JonCraig · 26th October 2005

i also notice a bit of occasional pain when my sinuses are acting up. extra mucus & "plugged-up-edness" can cause your cesation (spell?) tubes to not regulate the pressure in your inner ear properly. i'd guess that this has something to do with the discomfort you're describing. i notice that if i yawn or swallow, and my ears "pop", all of a sudden i can hear more clearly, so that pressure certainly plays a role in how we percieve sound.

are you taking any decongestants? when allergy season messes with my sinuses, i go on a regular regimen of sudafed & claritin, and nyquil at night (<---take the nyquil, drink a few beers, and sleep like a baby for 8 blissful hours!). you might try something of the sort if you're not already.

disclaimer: i'm not a doctor or anything, so for all i know mixing all that stuff might be slowly killing me. if you have allergies or that type of thing, read the labels.

--jon

Schexnayder · 26th October 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonCraig

i go on a regular regimen of sudafed & claritin, and nyquil at night (<---take the nyquil, drink a few beers, and sleep like a baby for 8 blissful hours!).

disclaimer: i'm not a doctor or anything, so for all i know mixing all that stuff might be slowly killing me. if you have allergies or that type of thing, read the labels.

Dang Jon, sounds like a great perscription...don't those things have Alcohol warnings on them...you know, the kind that say your ears will be great, but watch out for the liver.

infiniteposse · 26th October 2005

Thanks for the reply. I have taken decongestants on and off, but wasn't totally sure there was a direct correlation. I'll try taking them more religiously and especially before shows and see how things go.

Thanks again.

Any more thoughts appreciated.

Lee

simonv · 26th October 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonCraig

take the nyquil, drink a few beers, and sleep like a baby for 8 blissful hours!). you might try something of the sort if you're not already.

disclaimer: i'm not a doctor or anything, so for all i know mixing all that stuff might be slowly killing me. if you have allergies or that type of thing, read the labels.

--jon

kind of Off-Topic.. but fun...
One time, I was sick like a dog during a show. I could barely sing. So just before the show I went to the drug store and bought a bottle of Nyquil to "sooth my throat" during the show heeh

e

I took a very small sip after each song.. But I realised at some point during the show that I had drank half the bottle. By the 10th song, I was having sudden flashes of "WOOO where am I?", like if I was waking up on stage playing.

This stuff is strong.. It will put you to sleep fast

7rojo7 · 26th October 2005

try a petry dish sample of your throat. sometimes streptococcus can infect parts of your body you would almost never realize as infected. I have kids!

JonCraig · 26th October 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schexnayder

Dang Jon, sounds like a great perscription...don't those things have Alcohol warnings on them...you know, the kind that say your ears will be great, but watch out for the liver.

yeah... i figure this liver doesn't have too much time left, anyway.

--jon

Duffster · 26th October 2005

The pain in your ears has a direct relationship with any sinus problems or the congestion you may be experienceing. I have had a life full of ear infections and various other problems including ear surgery. A good thing to do is to buy a saline solution, usually a 3% solution in a nasal applicator. Snort this 2 times a day and it will raisethe PH balance in your ears, clearing them out while also killing the bacteria that causes many of the problems you may experience with allergies.

infiniteposse · 26th October 2005

Great feedback guys. I appreciate it. You're making me feel way more at ease. It was such a depressing thought to think that it took Pete Townsend 20-30 years to go deaf and I might have screwed my hearing with 3 months of poor drumming...

Thanks again.

JonCraig · 26th October 2005

nah... bad drumming is worse for the brain than it is for the ears ;-)

keep wearing the plugs though... that's the best move anyone could make!

--jon

wallace · 26th October 2005

I've got a sinus infection now and can't hear anything ( or am I not listening... ) no I can't hear. If you visit an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor, then can probably tell you for sure... I do remember when I first started playing music with drummers though, that my ears would hurt more. I don't know if I got used to it or not. Anyway getting checked out is the safest bet. they also have special wax vacumns that they clean your ears with. it's an interesting experience. you might have some wax jammed up there, though the sinus thing is probably the #1 culprit.

7rojo7 · 26th October 2005

after the throat culture I'd try the eardrops that help you evacuate earwax.

ncCountryMike · 27th October 2005

Just keep in mind that if you go on any sort of antibiotics for an ear infection or sinus infection that antibiotics actually cause a slight temporary threshold shift in your ears. When you're trying all of these medicines, many times the "cures" for whatever the cause of your ear troubles are (be it sinus infection or something of that nature) may also give you the same symptoms. So just make sure the rest of you is healthy and then give it time once you're off all of the drugs. Your ears should clear up just fine, just don't expect it to be a matter of hours.

JonCraig · 27th October 2005

ncCountryMike: great to see another nashvegas resident on gs... i think we're taking over the place!

--jon

26th October 2005	#2
JonCraig Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2004 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,800	i also notice a bit of occasional pain when my sinuses are acting up. extra mucus & "plugged-up-edness" can cause your cesation (spell?) tubes to not regulate the pressure in your inner ear properly. i'd guess that this has something to do with the discomfort you're describing. i notice that if i yawn or swallow, and my ears "pop", all of a sudden i can hear more clearly, so that pressure certainly plays a role in how we percieve sound. are you taking any decongestants? when allergy season messes with my sinuses, i go on a regular regimen of sudafed & claritin, and nyquil at night (<---take the nyquil, drink a few beers, and sleep like a baby for 8 blissful hours!). you might try something of the sort if you're not already. disclaimer: i'm not a doctor or anything, so for all i know mixing all that stuff might be slowly killing me. if you have allergies or that type of thing, read the labels. --jon __________________ "My job is to make music sound great and to not whine too much." --George Massenburg Learn PT Techniques from Multi-Platinum Engineers. Click Here.

26th October 2005	#6
7rojo7 urumita Joined: Nov 2002 Location: Spoleto, Italy Posts: 2,381	try a petry dish sample of your throat. sometimes streptococcus can infect parts of your body you would almost never realize as infected. I have kids! __________________ love and light

26th October 2005	#8
Duffster Gear addict Joined: Apr 2005 Location: São Paulo, Brasil Posts: 471	The pain in your ears has a direct relationship with any sinus problems or the congestion you may be experienceing. I have had a life full of ear infections and various other problems including ear surgery. A good thing to do is to buy a saline solution, usually a 3% solution in a nasal applicator. Snort this 2 times a day and it will raisethe PH balance in your ears, clearing them out while also killing the bacteria that causes many of the problems you may experience with allergies. __________________ Eagles may soar, but weasels don´t get stuck in jet engines. www.norcalstudios.com.br

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26th October 2005	#1
infiniteposse Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 592 Thread Starter	My ears hurt but don't ring. What the hell is wrong? Hi all- About a month ago I was playing drums in my living room and kind of just banging away and started to feel some discomfort in my ears. I'm a brand new player (2-3 months, infrequent playing) and have taken excellent care of my ears throughout the majority of my life - custom molded ear plugs with 25db filters worn to the majority of shows I see and have played in very few loud bands. My ears also don't ring in any sort of significant way that I've perceived. High frequency perception still seems to be clear and detailed. The discomfort is still around now and again and I seem to have a sensitivity to higher/moderate sound pressure levels now. I would describe the discomfort as sort of sharp. This evening I went and saw a show and wore my ear plugs and still felt discomfort during the show pretty far off stage next to the FOH booth. I asked the sound guy what levels we were at and he said about 100-103dbs... One thing that seems to have perhaps coincided with the onset of the discomfort has been sinus congestion that seems to just be sticking around at the moment. I've been taking a decongestant when the ears hurt sometimes and it seems to help. This would lead me to think that my ear pain is sinus related somehow, but I'm confused how the higher pressure levels would set it off if that's the case... I'm going to call and make a doctors appointment tommorrow, I just thought I'd check in with the slutz and see if anyone had any words of wisdom. I'm actually really scared at the thought that I did something bad to my ears. I've worked so hard over the years to protect them. Any thoughts greatly appreciated. Lee

26th October 2005	#11
wallace Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,086	I've got a sinus infection now and can't hear anything ( or am I not listening... ) no I can't hear. If you visit an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor, then can probably tell you for sure... I do remember when I first started playing music with drummers though, that my ears would hurt more. I don't know if I got used to it or not. Anyway getting checked out is the safest bet. they also have special wax vacumns that they clean your ears with. it's an interesting experience. you might have some wax jammed up there, though the sinus thing is probably the #1 culprit.

27th October 2005	#13
ncCountryMike Gear Head Joined: Oct 2005 Location: Nashville Posts: 36	Just keep in mind that if you go on any sort of antibiotics for an ear infection or sinus infection that antibiotics actually cause a slight temporary threshold shift in your ears. When you're trying all of these medicines, many times the "cures" for whatever the cause of your ear troubles are (be it sinus infection or something of that nature) may also give you the same symptoms. So just make sure the rest of you is healthy and then give it time once you're off all of the drugs. Your ears should clear up just fine, just don't expect it to be a matter of hours.