Hearing Tests -- Make Your Appointment Today

[Anderton]

I got a nasty ear infection about a month ago, and got it treated with antibiotics. But it hung in there, with some major treble loss, so I went to see a specialist. I explained that my hearing is REALLY REALLY important to me, so he assumed worse case and said although I was probably just recovering from the infection, my symptons could indicate bone conduction loss. As you can imagine, I wasn't real pleased with that concept. So I got a battery of tests of my hearing. Long story short: nothing terrible, just the after effects of the infection. But in analyzing the tests, the doctor told me I had remarkably good hearing for [ahem] "someone my age." Well, I can't tell you how much better it made me feel to know that yes, what I'm hearing when I mix is really what I should be hearing, and yes, all those years I used earplugs on stage were worth it. Bottom line: you've heard it before, I know, but protect your heraing. To that I would add get your ears tested regularly. I don't know what I would have done had the doctor said "Sorry to say this, but you have serious midrange and high-frequency loss, and it will likely deteriortate at a rapid rate in the years ahead." But I hope I never hear that, and I hope you don't either. I have several musician friends who have tinnitus, are partially deaf in one ear, etc. In all cases, they could have been prevented either by using protection on stage, or catching diseases in their early stages. So do both!!

[videoeditor1]

Sorry Craig, Could you speak up!? I couldn't hear a word you were saying.... I get a test every year (wonder if it's covered by my health plan?)...I'm ok, 'cept for a little mid, low & HF loss :D Cheers!

[fantasticsound]

[quote]Originally posted by NYC Drew: [b]Sorry Craig, Could you speak up!? I couldn't hear a word you were saying.... I get a test every year (wonder if it's covered by my health plan?)...I'm ok, 'cept for a little mid, low & HF loss :D Cheers![/b][/quote]Drew, you must know how to sell a duck to a monitor engineer.... Well? . . . . . . . . . . . [b]DO YOU WANNA BUY A DUCK??!?!?![/b]

[Bunny Knutson]

How much for thee duck? Huh? WHAT??

[DC]

A lot of those hearing aid places will give you a test for free. Last time I went, I explained that I knew my frequencies and asked to see detailed results. I had some little dips at 400 Hz and 4 K but this is actually normal. Just glad both ears had really similar curves, almost identical. I've always played with low stage volume, but glad I always wear ear plugs when using power tools or shooting guns.

[doc taz]

This is one thing I like about my latest band. We actually keep a relatively low volume while practicing, so I only have to wear the plugs onstage. When I did the metal thing in HS through my early 20's, I practically wore them all the time! At least my drummer and I did anyhow... I'm already considering a new bass amp sometime in the future, after I get enough money from gigs. That beast will definitely be louder than my current Peavey TKO 115 setup (160 watts). It'll be probably a 350 watt Hartke amp with a 4x10 transporter cab. At practice, I use the Peavey no louder than 3 for the master volume, and preamp gain at 6. Not very loud, so it's okay. Like the guys from hearnet say, "Wear your damn earplugs!"

[george costanza]

Hearing tests are important, & so can be a doctor but here's a tip that may help you all: After periodically getting "swimmer's ear" for several years (sometimes quite painful!) & being subjected to various treatments both prescribed & over-the-counter, I finally got this tip from a doctor---[b]periodically swabbing/annointing the ear canal with [i]ordinary vinegar[/i] creates a pH climate that makes it impossible for certain bacterium to live ![/b] I've since done this once every few weeks & in the last 5 years have not had any recurrence of infection! Try it!