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  1. #1

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    Hi, I have hearing problems, left ear dead. I would like to know if any of you have this problem and how much it penalized you on the guitar? Thanks

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  3. #2

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    Not me, fortunately, but a good friend lost all function of his left ear a few years ago. I don't think it handicapped his playing but he played mostly harpsichord.

    Unless you're a lefty guitar player your instrument produces (most of) its sound to the right of your centre line and if in addition you keep your eyes on your fretting hand your good ear will be the one receiving all sound.

    I wouldn't want to discover what one-sided loss of hearing means for playing together; a priori it will be more difficult to tell instruments apart because directional hearing should be significantly impaired

  4. #3

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    PSA: There is something called Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss. I don't know how common it is, but I had it and I know a few others who have had it.

    If you get it, you'll know, because your hearing will be distorted and/or reduced in one ear.

    The thing to know is that quick treatment improves your likelihood of restoring your hearing. Think hours, not days. You may get it back without treatment, to one degree or another, but the treatment helps. It's a steroid, either orally or injected into the ear (it's a little less horrible than that sounds).
    Last edited by rpjazzguitar; 09-12-2024 at 06:36 PM.

  5. #4
    I had sudden sensorineural loss.. All of a sudden, this thing happened 7 years ago. I did everything I could, but nothing worked. My life has changed.. It is not easy. I hope you never have this problem.

  6. #5

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    Quote Originally Posted by Karlos
    I had sudden sensorineural loss.. All of a sudden, this thing happened 7 years ago. I did everything I could, but nothing worked. My life has changed.. It is not easy. I hope you never have this problem.
    There have been remarkable advances in aural implant technology to restore hearing but currently it's very expensive.

    What can cause such sudden hearing loss, a blow to the head or something?

  7. #6

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    I have reduced hearing, and wear hearing aids, but it won't be getting any better! Plus tinnitus. After many years on guitar and in the studio. Not fun!

    The main thing I focus on is saving what I have left. I try to avoid everything that's loud, especially when I practice. It's hard because it takes a certain volume (for me) to feel totally involved. When I play with other people, positioning is the key. But I stopped gigging some years ago, had to quit a band that I really enjoyed, because of this problem, and would only do a quiet jazz gig now.

    Good luck with it, it's very hard to deal with as I'm sure you know!

  8. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by Mick-7
    There have been remarkable advances in aural implant technology to restore hearing but currently it's very expensive.

    What can cause such sudden hearing loss, a blow to the head or something?
    Hi, it is not known exactly why. It could have been a latent virus that destroyed the auditory nerve, or a capillary that closed, or high cholesterol, or oxygen was not supplied for a certain period of time.

  9. #8

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    Quote Originally Posted by Mick-7

    What can cause such sudden hearing loss, a blow to the head or something?
    I had hearing loss mid- July 2024 (-20dB my 2 ears)after a viral infection transmitted by my grandson coming for holidays from Hong Kong.The loss appeared after 2 or 3 days of contamination.

    I consulted immediately a friend otolaryngologist who gave me massive doses of corticosteroids :that didn’t help anything.I knew the risk,cause I’m a retired diabeto- endocrinologist
    I have an appointment with an audiophonist
    In the meantime,I try to play my guitar as best as I can by borrowing my wife’s her right hearing aid

  10. #9

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    I was told that it was probably due to a virus.

    I was also told to be very careful about loud sounds.

    So, I carry a set of earplugs in a little cylinder that clips onto my key ring, which I always carry. Not a perfect solution because the ones I have, Hearos, muffle the sound. I tried custom fitted Etymotics but they weren't any better -- in fact, they may have been worse because of the rigidity of the plug. They'd shift and I would think the bass player was too loud. Better to have a soft plug, or so I think.

  11. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by Hyppolyte Bergamotte
    I had hearing loss mid- July 2024 (-20dB my 2 ears)after a viral infection transmitted by my grandson coming for holidays from Hong Kong.The loss appeared after 2 or 3 days

    I consulted immediately a friend otolaryngologist who gave me massive doses of corticosteroids :that didn’t help anything.I knew the risk,cause I’m a retired diabeto- endocrinologist
    I have an appointment with an audiophonistHi,

    In the meantime,I try to play my guitar as best as I can by borrowing my wife’s her right hearing aid
    Hi, here in Italy they also do hyperbaric chamber, several sessions, many have had benefits, but you don't have to wait too long.

  12. #11

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    Oticon intent
    Phonak audio lumity
    the two best tools in Europe for musicians

  13. #12

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    Quote Originally Posted by Karlos
    Hi, here in Italy they also do hyperbaric chamber, several sessions, many have had benefits, but you don't have to wait too long.
    too late for me

  14. #13

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    I occasionally have problems with left ear. No treble left, all bassy. Dunno what it is. Sometimes it lasts for days.
    When it takes longer, I kinda get used to it and when listening to headphones, it is less noticeable.
    I guess left and right ears are supposed to work perfectly together to get the 3d aural image, thats why it gets so annoying with real life sounds.
    But I never had it go completely out. Every time I hear someone with such problem, it is a bummer
    Hope you can get it solved, Karlos!

  15. #14

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    Quote Originally Posted by emanresu
    I occasionally have problems with left ear. No treble left, all bassy. Dunno what it is. Sometimes it lasts for days.
    Do you get equilibrium problems too? Time to go visit an ORL! I'm not one but it sounds like this *could* be Mézière's disease.

    As you probably know, the inner ear works like a Fourier transform aka spectrum analyser, with the audible spectrum represented along the basilar membrane of the cochlea. Not hearing part of the spectrum means that the receptive cells along part of that membrane don't do their job; it'd be the ORL's job to figure out why and if something can be done to prevent this (or stop it from going worse).

  16. #15
    Quote Originally Posted by emanresu
    I occasionally have problems with left ear. No treble left, all bassy. Dunno what it is. Sometimes it lasts for days.
    When it takes longer, I kinda get used to it and when listening to headphones, it is less noticeable.
    I guess left and right ears are supposed to work perfectly together to get the 3d aural image, thats why it gets so annoying with real life sounds.
    But I never had it go completely out. Every time I hear someone with such problem, it is a bummer
    Hope you can get it solved, Karlos!
    Ciao, , my problem will never be solved, it will take a miracle! I think I had other passions Hi end audio.. Etc Thiel speakers, top of the range amplifiers, but now everything is off. Euros thrown to the wind.

  17. #16

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    Quote Originally Posted by Karlos
    Euros thrown to the wind.
    That shouldn't be entirely the case, not if your right ear works as before! This should speak for itself as far as per-channel sound quality is concerned. But the brain is also amazingly flexible and will or can learn to exploit the difference between hearing with a single ear and hearing exactly the same signal in 2 ears (aka pure mono). From what I understand the shape of our head and design of our ear lobes allows at least some spatial reconstruction even with 1 deaf ear so even if all that money also went into multi-speaker set-up (and recordings exploiting it) your should still be able to get at least some enjoyment out of that.

  18. #17

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    Hi folks, I don't often contribute to this forum. Mainly just absorb info from folks with better things to say than me. But, this subject is one I can contribute to!

    So I am an audiologist working in a range of areas of adult and paediatric audiology in the UK. I often get musicians with hearing loss in my clinic and often get those suffering a sudden sensorineural loss in hearing.

    First of all, if you experience a sudden loss in hearing, get it checked out ASAP! Too often I see folk sitting on it for a few weeks/months. It's much easier for an ENT doctor to try steroid treatments if it's caught early.

    Secondly, many musicians have a hearing loss and manage to function very well in a listening and performing situation. It does take relearning, patience and a realistic out look. But if you have a new or long-standing hearing loss, do not give up hope!

  19. #18

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    Quote Originally Posted by RJVB View Post
    I'm not one but it sounds like this *could* be Mézière's disease.
    It's Meniere's in case you are trying to Google it. My father-in-law has it and manages to minimise the effects with a low-salt diet.

  20. #19

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    Quote Originally Posted by telephonic View Post
    It's Meniere's in case you are trying to Google it.
    Oups, yes, Ménière's disease.

    One letter difference with the name of an interesting physiotherapy technique.