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cvanepps
= Cult of Ray =
USA
442 Posts |
 Posted - 11/23/2003 : 15:26:05
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On Tuesday Nov 18, on a flight from Dallas, TX to Raleigh, NC, excess pressure in my right ear during descent caused a pretty high level of pain which left me with about 40% hearing in that ear. On prior flights, I pretty much go through the same sort of thing [edit] and it always just goes away [edit] but this time, it's been nearly a week later and there has been no improvement.
I have an appointment with an Audiologist on Dec 2. In the interim, I was wondering, does anyone out there have experience with this? Does the fact that my right ear still sort of works mean that the eardrum can't be broken? And if it is broken or otherwise damaged, can it heal? Or am I fucked? I have enough strikes against me as an amatur musician, I don't need this.
-= It's not easy to kidnap a fat man =-
http://christophervanepps.iuma.com |
Edited by - cvanepps on 11/23/2003 15:44:39 |
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mereubu
= FB QuizMistress =
USA
2677 Posts |
Posted - 11/23/2003 : 18:18:38
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Broken eardrums usually heal in a week or two. Keep that appointment, though. I had fluid built up behind one of my eardrums for a couple of months--it was uncomfortable, but eventually resolved itself. At the time, though, I remember worrying that I was going deaf.
http://my.webmd.com/content/healthwise/3/860.htm?lastselectedguid=
Good luck--hope it feels better soon.
 "I joined the Cult of Frank / And all I got was this lousy icon" |
Edited by - mereubu on 11/23/2003 18:20:22 |
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cvanepps
= Cult of Ray =
USA
442 Posts |
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jediroller
* Dog in the Sand *
France
1718 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 06:47:08
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Reading the beginning of your message, I thought you were looking for a lawyer :)
Surely there's millions to be made there?
Seriously, good luck. I hope it heals itself in no time.
--
"C'est la vie" whatever that means, la-de-da... |
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cvanepps
= Cult of Ray =
USA
442 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 06:50:22
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Nawww, I'm not the litigious type. I accept responsibility for my own actions. I do feel like an old man as I lean toward people talking and go, "Eh? Whatcha say, sonny?"
-= It's not easy to kidnap a fat man =-
http://christophervanepps.iuma.com |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 07:28:29
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Heh, I do that anyway, especially if I heard the person just fine. :)
I had a similar situation once with a tooth. A bit of a cavity and eating the inflight meal at 42,000 ft. and some food was stuck there and locked in a pocket of air. So we descended and the air started to expand inside my tooth but was trapped, and, well, it hurt. I had tears streaming down my face because it felt like someone had grabbed the raw nerve in some tweezers and was slowly squeezing it harder and harder. And a serious and instantaneous headache, the works. I can't imagine what it would be like on an ear drum, but I have to imagine the same if not worse. Unfortunately, there was nothing to be done for it as I didn't realize until after I was at a dentist what had happened.
You said this happens a lot, do you know how to equalize your sinus cavities? Even if you're congested (a person should take a decongestant on the plane if they're really stuffed up to prevent this) or if you have constricted inner ear canals or unusually small ones, if you equalize often enough, the pressure won't get the chance to build up enough that you can't release the trapped air.
"Join the Cult of Frank / And you'll be enlightened" |
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jediroller
* Dog in the Sand *
France
1718 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 08:08:05
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Jesus Christ, Dean, that sounds like hell. And I'm planning a 22+ hrs plane trip in January. I'm going to have nightmares for a whole month now.
What should I do to prevent all these horrible things from happening to me? "Walk and chew gum"?
--
"C'est la vie" whatever that means, la-de-da... |
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cvanepps
= Cult of Ray =
USA
442 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 08:32:33
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I fly so infrequently that I forgot to bring chewing gum to help equalize the pressure. I'm nearly certain that I've got an eardrum rupture since I recently removed all the excess earwax (yuk!) with no hearing improvement. It's a weird sensation: hearing out of only one ear. Maybe I'll write a song about it.
An air pocket inside COF's tooth sounds a whole shit-load worse than my ear, though. Yowww!
Hey, there's the first verse!!
-= It's not easy to kidnap a fat man =-
http://christophervanepps.iuma.com |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 08:44:17
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Well, I now carry floss in my travel bag - that's an easy one and solves that problem if it should arise again (it hasn't). Other than that, decongestant if you're really stuffed up, take it about 2 hours before you're scheduled to land since descent usually take about 30 mins and it usually takes about an hour to kick in. If you've got no health problems, you should have nothing to worry about. Different things work for different people. There are two very effective ways to equalize the pressure in your Eustachian tubes. One is the Valsalva technique, but there's also the Fresnel manuever.
Valsalva: Plug your nose, close your mouth, and gently exhale. You won't be able to, but it's like breathing air into your closed mouth. If you wait until there's pain/discomfort, you've probably already waited too long. As soon as you start to notice a pressure difference, you should start doing this periodically. If you wait too long, the pressure could become to great to be overcome.
Fresnel: Like Valsalva. You plug your nose, close your mouth, and swallow. It's a bit easier for some people to do this one, but it doesn't work as well in my experience.
You can also move your jaw around while you're doing this if you can't seem to equalize. This allows the tubes to expand slightly and may be enough on it's own to release expanding air. This is why chewing gum is effective for some people.
In general, though, the key is to do it before the pressure builds too much, and remember not to blow too hard - you could actually blow your eardrum doing this, which sort of defeats the purpose.
"Join the Cult of Frank / And you'll be enlightened" |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 09:38:31
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quote:
Originally posted by cvanepps
Maybe I'll write a song about it.
You would be in very good company, to be sure! :
Let me sing about one thing that's clear
That nobody owns
The pleasure of tones
That belongs to a guy with no ear
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 09:40:59
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quote:
Originally posted by cvanepps
I fly so infrequently that I forgot to bring chewing gum to help equalize the pressure. I'm nearly certain that I've got an eardrum rupture since I recently removed all the excess earwax (yuk!) with no hearing improvement. It's a weird sensation: hearing out of only one ear. Maybe I'll write a song about it.
An air pocket inside COF's tooth sounds a whole shit-load worse than my ear, though. Yowww!
Hey, there's the first verse!!
-= It's not easy to kidnap a fat man =-
http://christophervanepps.iuma.com
Well, I don't know, I think I'd still take that pain over blowing an eardrum... which I've never done but am sure has to be at LEAST as painful. Then again, if it gets me a mention in your song... :)
"Join the Cult of Frank / And you'll be enlightened" |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 09:43:51
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quote:
Originally posted by mereubu
Broken eardrums usually heal in a week or two. Keep that appointment, though. I had fluid built up behind one of my eardrums for a couple of months--it was uncomfortable, but eventually resolved itself. At the time, though, I remember worrying that I was going deaf.
http://my.webmd.com/content/healthwise/3/860.htm?lastselectedguid=
Mereubu or cvanepps (or anybody else who's had ear problems), did you happen to have ringing in your ears and maybe a slight loss of ability to hear speech?
I have been having ringing in both ears for about 6 months - the doctor said they were clear, and laughingly said that I was "probably just losing my hearing". Needless to say, we have since gotten a diffrent doctor, but I haven't had a chance to get a second opinion yet. The ringing drives me crazy, and every once in a while there is a fluttering sound (bats in the belfry?) and my hearing fazes out/muffles for a while in one ear.
Has anyone else ever experienced this? |
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cvanepps
= Cult of Ray =
USA
442 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 09:48:35
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OK. I'm thinking a sort of rockabilly riff between the verses. Not sure why but that's what's in my head today (besides the ringing). Here's what I've got so far...
Eardrums & Airplanes
(c) 2003 Christopher Van Epps
Air pocket in Dean's tooth sounds worse than my ear.
Valsalva and Fresnel are too far yet so near.
Mandibular movement may ease the pressure.
Blowing too hard is a drum-breaking measure.
Can't take the pain of my eardrums & airplanes (x4)
Now blondie, don't you give me no guff and no back-sass.
If I had sufficient funds, I'd be in first class.
You can keep all your hot towels and all your mixed nuts.
Give me, instead, solid whens, wheres, whos, and whats.
Can't take the pain of my eardrums & airplanes (x4)
Remove the beeswax buildup, I avowed.
Yet half of my head contains silence that's so loud.
a day in the air for Périgny is too long.
Be sure to pay heed to the warnings in this song.
Can't take the pain of my eardrums and airplanes (x8)
-= It's not easy to kidnap a fat man =-
http://christophervanepps.iuma.com |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 09:59:46
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Ha, that's awesome. If you want to do a guitar and vocal track, I'll throw some keys on it. :)
"Join the Cult of Frank / And you'll be enlightened" |
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cvanepps
= Cult of Ray =
USA
442 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 10:06:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Cult_Of_Frank
Ha, that's awesome. If you want to do a guitar and vocal track, I'll throw some keys on it. :)
You're on. Of course, we're months from being at the recording stage. For one thing, I'm re-wiring the studio to implement a tube-based mic preamp and other goodies that should make my deaf ass sound better. Oh, the shit we put ourselves through for our hobbies.
-= It's not easy to kidnap a fat man =-
http://christophervanepps.iuma.com |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 11:14:24
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Just wear headphones cranked and use the vibration ala Beethoven. Well, except the headphones part.
Mind you, you'll never recover your hearing and will probably lose it in the other ear, but that's what art's all about. Pain, suffering, loss, and really loud headphones.
"Join the Cult of Frank / And you'll be enlightened" |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 11:31:40
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Niiiiice lyrics cvanepps!
You know, I saw something on 60 minutes last night about Howard Hughes Medical Institute (it was originally a tax-shelter scheme, but now employs some of the best in the genetic and bio-medical studies fields, with a 12 BILLION dollar endowment!!), anyway, one of their scientists has discovered the gene that controls both human balance and also the tiny hairs that are located in the ear which are responsible for hearing - if we actually do have hearing damage, maybe this lady scientist will have a cure for deafness (and us!) someday soon.....
BTW, did anyone see my question about ringing ears (a few posts up)? I hate be like a broken record ;), but this is kinda freaking me out, and I figured this was a good place to ask.... |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 11:39:44
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I did see your post, but I've never had ringing last more than a few hours... glad you switched docs, though.
Apl, I was reading a paper about a bio-tech firm doing research into viruses that can produce transistors and eventually full ICs. Actually, by now, they've probably succeeded or are really close to succeeding in the first 'biological' transistor. Far, far smaller than anything out there today (nano instead of micro), but, and I'm not generally a technophobe, a little bit scary. Anyway, your post reminded me of that. I'll see if I can find some more info on it if you're interested.
"Join the Cult of Frank / And you'll be enlightened" |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 11:46:35
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Sure! I think we need another geeky-techno-RFID-time-travel-Orwellian-spider-silk-from-goat-milk-string-theory-topic.
Seriously.
By the way, we actually own stock in the Canadian company that developed that spider silk from goats' milk (now from plants) thingy. The last I heard, they were going to try to corner the astronaut suit, shuttle covering, satellite and space-station protection market. This runs squarely in the face of my ethical standing on genetic modification/cloning/GMO issue. between that and the orange/yellow quandary, I am lost for sure....... |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 12:01:41
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Heh, what was the name of that company again. I remember hearing about that, though I thought it hadn't been done yet. This is just the beginning of synthetic tougher-than-titanium alloy creation, but I'd say they have a great start on things. As for the ethics, I suppose that as long as these plants are never ever released in the wild I'm OK with it...
Have you read Flowers for Algernon? It reminds me of your orange/yellow conundrum. Or perhaps the other way around.
"Join the Cult of Frank / And you'll be enlightened" |
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jediroller
* Dog in the Sand *
France
1718 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 12:59:57
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Hey, thanks for all the advice Dean!
Now, when can we download that song?
--
"C'est la vie" whatever that means, la-de-da... |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 13:07:07
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quote:
Originally posted by Cult_Of_Frank
Heh, what was the name of that company again.... As for the ethics, I suppose that as long as these plants are never ever released in the wild I'm OK with it...
Nexia (based in Montreal). The problem with the released into the wild stipulation is that it is impossible to keep it from eventually escaping - but that's a whole new topic! ;)
quote:
Have you read Flowers for Algernon? It reminds me of your orange/yellow conundrum. Or perhaps the other way around.
No, I haven't, but it actaully is on my list of US-dept-of-education-censored-books-to-read!! |
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cvanepps
= Cult of Ray =
USA
442 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 13:12:42
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quote:
Originally posted by jediroller
Hey, thanks for all the advice Dean!
Now, when can we download that song?
Well, I still like to make CDs. I like the concrete nature of CDs over MP3s and since this is the case, I'll only ever make low-quality song snippetts available for download. Sorry. I may look into going full MP3 one day. Many independents are going that route.
Apl4eris, the ringing has been going on since touchdown on Nov 18. As it was happening (on descent from 37,000 feet) it felt like a stiletto being inserted into my brain through my right ear. One of the other websites said excess earwax could be lodged against the eardrum, causing it to ring. I'm sure either you or your doctor already thought of this. I bought an earwax removal "kit" complete with solvent and that blue squirty-ball thing.
-= It's not easy to kidnap a fat man =-
http://christophervanepps.iuma.com |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 13:14:47
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Oh, Chris, surely we can make an exception for the FB.Net members. :)
"Join the Cult of Frank / And you'll be enlightened" |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 13:20:26
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quote:
Originally posted by cvanepps Apl4eris, the ringing has been going on since touchdown on Nov 18....One of the other websites said excess earwax could be lodged against the eardrum, causing it to ring. I'm sure either you or your doctor already thought of this. I bought an earwax removal "kit" complete with solvent and that blue squirty-ball thing.
Thank you. I am going to buy a blue squirty ball thing and go to town. I don't believe my old doctor now. I hope that you have a good visit with the audiologist and you heal well and regain ALL of your hearing. We must take good care of the precious sense that brings us the words and frequencies of the GREAT ONE. I look forward to hearing that song, too. I checked out your stuff on iuma.com a long while ago, and really enjoyed it. I was lurking at the time and was too shy to speak up about it! |
Edited by - apl4eris on 11/24/2003 13:20:49 |
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Carolynanna
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Canada
6556 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 13:27:35
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for excessive earwax you're supposed to put a couple drops of olive oil
in your ear,(before bed so you can lay on the other side)
and guaranteed it will all come out by the next day.
I have kids alright! |
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jediroller
* Dog in the Sand *
France
1718 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 13:44:08
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quote:
Originally posted by cvanepps
Well, I still like to make CDs. I like the concrete nature of CDs over MP3s and since this is the case, I'll only ever make low-quality song snippetts available for download.
I actually agree with you on that point. I like my racks full of CDs more than my hard drive. Something to do with the added value of artwork, or the consistency of an album, or maybe I'm just a fetishist.
(There is a sparkling exception to the rule, though, and that is of course the most excellent You Ain't Me - A Frank Black Tribute...)
Where I would disagree, though, is over the "snippet" thing. I will always prefer a low-quality mp3 file of a full song (be it a demo or live version) to a dozen 30s samples. A 30s sample never made any impression on me. But I have discovered many musicians thanks to full songs that had been made available over the Net, notably on epitonic.com.
But that's only my take on things...
And I'm seriously going off-topic too.
--
"C'est la vie" whatever that means, la-de-da... |
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cvanepps
= Cult of Ray =
USA
442 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 13:49:48
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quote:
Originally posted by jediroller
Where I would disagree, though, is over the "snippet" thing. I will always prefer a low-quality mp3 file of a full song (be it a demo or live version) to a dozen 30s samples. A 30s sample never made any impression on me. But I have discovered many musicians thanks to full songs that had been made available over the Net, notably on epitonic.com.
Naww, I hear you. My snippetts run at least half the length of a song, so I must have felt the same as you about the 30s thing.
And Dean, perhaps you're right about making Eardrums & Airplanes free for us, especially since this thread is the main inspiration. Besides, one song isn't going to break me.
[edit] Oh and thank you Apl4eris, for the kind words!  [edit]
-= It's not easy to kidnap a fat man =-
http://christophervanepps.iuma.com |
Edited by - cvanepps on 11/24/2003 13:51:36 |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2003 : 13:59:50
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Plus, we're going to have to do some file sharing back and forth to get the keys into the mix.
I do agree with you both on the snippets. I hate 'em. I search for the full song and download it as my snippet. If you listen to a snippet of a song you know, you're invariably left saying "What?! This is the part of the song they chose?!" or "I can't believe they cut it right before the ___ comes in/happens".
Also, I love the physical CD, hence having the CD artwork for You Ain't Me and Hey. But I don't mind downloading MP3's and listening that way either. I keep some CD cases in my car as conversation pieces when I pick up a date. OK, well, that's not true. I've never picked up a date. But if I ever do have a date and pick her up, I'm GOING to put a few CD cases in the car that might be conversation material. :)
BTW, thanks for the props, JediRoller. I hope you have two exceptions in a month from today.
"Join the Cult of Frank / And you'll be enlightened" |
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cvanepps
= Cult of Ray =
USA
442 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2003 : 08:44:45
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Yeah, see that's one thing I loved about albums so much. It was such a (relatively) huge canvas for some really great artwork. I remember buying The Wall in 6th grade and just looking at all the incredible art that comes with that 2 LP set. With CDs, it doesn't have nearly the same impact. Eventually, when MP3 completely takes over, there may not be any artwork. Or it'll be a downloadable .jpg like we did with You Ain't Me and Hey.
Re: the song...I did some basic arrangement for Eardrums & Airplanes and it's turned from a rockabilly thing into a basic, straightforward, shouty, rock thing. It's got no Frank Black complexity, but that's OK. Maybe Dean's keys can add a layer of "oomf" to it. Hard to say when it'll be ready, given that I'm recording 25 other songs in the next year.
-= It's not easy to kidnap a fat man =-
http://christophervanepps.iuma.com |
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Owen
- FB Fan -
USA
165 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2003 : 09:29:09
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Hey, I peeped that web page and it seems like I'm not the only person here to've filled out a fake credit card application for the chance to own a snazzy Hurricanes fishin' hat. Props.
So, let me know if you're ever playing your unique brand of Rock, Punk, College/Indie/Lo-Fi, Humor in the Triangle area. I can't wait to hear this tune live. |
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cvanepps
= Cult of Ray =
USA
442 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2003 : 10:45:38
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quote:
Originally posted by Owen
Hey, I peeped that web page and it seems like I'm not the only person here to've filled out a fake credit card application for the chance to own a snazzy Hurricanes fishin' hat. Props.
So, let me know if you're ever playing your unique brand of Rock, Punk, College/Indie/Lo-Fi, Humor in the Triangle area. I can't wait to hear this tune live.
I can't remember where I got that hat, but it's the kind of hat that looks good on everyone.
Since I work so poorly with others, I have no band. This means I'm relegated to coffeehouses and small bars. So assuming I get my hearing back (and even if I don't) and as I inch toward the point where I can play satisfactorily, I'll post a notice like Sir Rockabye did: http://forum.frankblack.net/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4149
His show is tomorrow night: any of you in the NJ area should make the effort to attend!
-= It's not easy to kidnap a fat man =-
http://christophervanepps.iuma.com |
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benji
> Teenager of the Year <
New Zealand
3426 Posts |
Posted - 11/26/2003 : 01:54:30
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rupturing an eardrum is one of the most painfull experiences that a person can go through, and the hearing loss is generally the least of your worries!
when mine ruptured a few years ago while watching a game of rugby i almost fainted several times from the incredible pain which lasted 3-4 hours.
my hearing loss lasted for about 6 months and was miraculously cured by going to a Sleater-Kinney concert. my hearing hadn't improved at all for 6 months, but while leaning on a speaker at the gig i heard a kind of pop and i could suddenly hear 'stereo' again.
made a fantastic gig even better! |
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Chris Knight
= Cult of Ray =
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - 11/26/2003 : 03:22:39
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quote:
Originally posted by apl4eris
Mereubu or cvanepps (or anybody else who's had ear problems), did you happen to have ringing in your ears and maybe a slight loss of ability to hear speech?
I have been having ringing in both ears for about 6 months - the doctor said they were clear, and laughingly said that I was "probably just losing my hearing". Needless to say, we have since gotten a diffrent doctor, but I haven't had a chance to get a second opinion yet. The ringing drives me crazy, and every once in a while there is a fluttering sound (bats in the belfry?) and my hearing fazes out/muffles for a while in one ear.
Has anyone else ever experienced this?
Possibly you're describing the hearing disorder commonly known as tinnitus. Do you, with any regularity at all, expose your ears to very loud sounds (rock concerts, industrial machinery, etc.)?
Being a musician, all this talk about ear injuries makes me very woozy. |
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