Dangers of Earplugs and the importance of seeing a doctor

[locosoundman]

Just wanted to share my experience here and hopefully save someone else some heartache:

I work in New York City and whenever I do a gig that does not involve my own gear I ride the subway, which takes an hour or more from where I live. To protect my ears, I wear earplugs. Often if I have to drive to a gig, I will wear plugs if I am on the road for more than half an hour (my car is pretty noisy)

Back in late March, I noticed some pressure in my left ear, but I was congested and I knew I had a wax buildup that had to be taken care of so I didn't give it any further thought. I had to fly to Florida and back and had a bit of difficulty clearing the pressure in my left ear. Nothing unusual there either - for some reason, my left ear has always given me more trouble than my right on planes.

Then came some minor allergies - you get the idea - pressure in the ear, but there was a perfectly good explanation. I am not in the habit of going to doctors because for years I did not have health insurance.

Last week, I was recording marathons of recitals and concerts and the pain in my left ear was unbearable. Even worse, I felt like I was not hearing the high frequencies correctly in my left ear - to the point where it was difficult to tell if the array was properly centered. I finally broke down and went to the doctor.

Needless to say, I had wax buildup (getting worse), an ear infection, and bleeding in the left ear. The wax build up and the bleeding are directly attributable to sticking something in your ear, i.e. wearing the ear plugs. Hopefully, the impariment to my hearing is not permanent. I cannot imagine what I will do if it is.

I used to wear the tube-type ear plugs and did not have these problems. I guess because I am able to stick the "torpedo" plugs in further...

Not to say that you should not protect your hearing - but if you do wear earplugs often, make sure you get your ears checked regularly. Insurance or not, if you depend on your ears to make a living, don't take the chance.

Sorry for the length of the post - I just felt this was something important.

[mjau]

Are there types of earplugs which are better than others? I know nothing - I just keep the ones they give me on planes and stuff those in my ears when I need to.

[RefD]

never re-use disposable earplugs.

always follow the cleaning protocol for re-usable ones as if your life depends on it.

same goes for in-ear monitoring thingies.

never wear ANY kind of earplugs for more than 6 - 8 hours a day, and never longer than 2 - 3 hours at a stretch.

and keep your ears sparkling clean.

[rjd2]

i think everyone should own the 150 dollar custom plug you get made at an ear specialist. they dont go in deep at all, and are made of a casted rubber type of material. so necessary.

[UXB]

That's a harrowing situation. I hope you are unscathed after healing.

Re. custom molds, all my custom molds HAVE to go deep into the ear, else the response is way out for me. I've been happily unsing the etymotic $12 ones, which work well, but I wonder if they could cause such a horrible condition.

Any special cleaning/disinfecting tips?

Best,
H

[earth tones]

I recently fell asleep with a pair of disposable ear plugs in. The next day my ear canals ached and I developed minor infections in the cavity opening as well. Won't make that mistake again. In my own defense, the bar next door decided to play Motley Crue's worst hits at 3 am.

[treymonfauntre]

That's a harrowing situation. I hope you are unscathed after healing.

Re. custom molds, all my custom molds HAVE to go deep into the ear, else the response is way out for me. I've been happily unsing the etymotic $12 ones, which work well, but I wonder if they could cause such a horrible condition.

Any special cleaning/disinfecting tips?

Best,
H

they tell you in the book that comes with them

also, pardon me if i'm wrong, but isn't it detrimental to keep your ears "sparkling clean"?

[lapsteel]

i think everyone should own the 150 dollar custom plug you get made at an ear specialist. they dont go in deep at all, and are made of a casted rubber type of material. so necessary.

i've been meaning to go do this

[RefD]

also, pardon me if i'm wrong, but isn't it detrimental to keep your ears "sparkling clean"?

soz, i meant exercice good hygeine!

yah, a certain amout of oil and grease and wax is healthy.

just not to the point of goopy, rancid disgustingness.

[logancircle]

Yeah, I just had (loud, painful) ear surgery for a nasty ear infection (I'll spare you the grizzly details) and ended up losing some of my high-end in my left ear. I have had to use a 12k shelf on the left channel of my board so I can hear the airy freq. I sleep with earplugs in, probably shouldn't.

[RefD]

my right eardrum was punctured (violently torn, actually) rather messily in 1990.

we should form a team!

[runrunrun]

what is recommended for routine ear maintenance? my ears tend to get blocked with wax a lot, has been a problem my whole life.

[logancircle]

The funny thing is that right after the operation, when the high freq sensitivity in my left ear was half its usual, I was still mixing and mastering. I just turned my head to make sure the highs were balanced. Luckily I didn't ruin anything.

[sthslvrcnfsn]

Please, does anybody have any tips on regular/daily cleaning procedures? I have been lazy in doing this, and any recommendations would be great. I need to start a regimen to keep my ears in healthy good shape.

So, does the medicated-liquid solution do any good? How about cotton swabs (not going too deep, obviously)? Anything I can do at home without seeing the doctor!

-jim!

[locosoundman]

I think ears will basically take care of themselves - that's what the wax is for.

Getting regular check-ups by your doctor and seeing an audiologist once a year to test your hearing is probably all you need to do. Obviously a little swabbing of excess wax with a Q-tip on your own is probably a good idea - just don't stick it IN your ear.

If you get water in your ears (from swimming or something) a couple of drops of alcohol in the ear will usually take care of it. In my case, to soften up the wax deposits prior to removing them from my ear, the doctor recommended Hydrogen Peroxide - but this is not routine maintenance.

See your doctor - it's worth the hundred bucks!

How much is your hearing worth?