Ears as part of the audio chain.....

[Gang-Twanger]

I know I can't hear past 17KhZ.

I think my hearing tops out at around/close to 17khz, although I couldn't confirm that it wasn't my computer that has the problem (In other words, I couldn't say for sure that it can PLAY frequencies above 17khz, although it IS running through a competent outboard DAC, and into a pair of Grado RSII's).

I'm careful with my ears nowadays. I've been using earplugs for the last 6-7 years, although this problem with my neighbors didn't help (I HAD to protect my ears in that situation... But I'll be moving soon, and I'm specifically-looking for something a bit more-hi-fi-friendly).

I've really been enjoying headphone-listening lately. I love the RSII's. I want to upgrade at some point, but it's gonna' have to be something special, like maybe some 'stats or something (I can't wear the stock RS pads... My ear ends up pressing against the driver... The cartilage at least... Plus, I find they give them a bass-lght sound... I use the modded pads from my SR80's, which give the RSII's a fatter, punchier bass).

 

[elcoholic]

I keep them clean with hydrogen peroxide and take care of them with hearing protection. I'm also pretty selective about cranking up my stereo and use an iPhone app sound meter to keep an eye on things when I do for a song or two.

 

[twiiii]

When I worked my ears were checked every 6 months by my ENT. At every Syn-aud-con course at the farm I had my ears rechecked. Now I have my ears checked every spring. The tests only go to 8 khz, though. But I still have an oscillator and sweep my system at 80 db and still can just barely here 17 khz.

 

[jberger]

For the past few days, my right ear has been overdriven into clipping (or so it sounds). There's a resonant peak at 1200 Hz, and another at 1400 Hz that get excited with every sound in that range, making it sound like bad, overmodulated music on hold over a bad cellphone speaker. Every sound includes female voices (including my spouse), crinkling paper, wind noise, traffic, and, worst of all, music.

I've taken to plugging that ear just to get freedom from the buzzing. If it continues, I'll finally have a use for those solo speakers that keep showing up.

 

[Poultrygeist]

Anyone tried ear candling? Did it twice at an ear candling party. Maybe I could hear better but I'm not convinced. Nasty stuff that's pulled out of the canal by the up draft is a total gross out :thumbsdn:

 

[Poultrygeist]

This is the wax crap that's drawn out of the ear after candling. Watch out for those holistic women that practice this stuff. They love to get you to one of their parties. Worse than Tupperware.

 

[restorer-john]

Opens up a whole new area for tweakers:

* Special haircuts that minimise refraction and absorption.
* Custom ear hair trims for reflective stubborn hairs
* ECMs (ear cleaning machines)
* CCS (cranial clamp system for optimal sweet spot placement)
* Ear sculpting for minor plastic surgery adjustments to give optimal imaging
* ARRS (anti roof reflection system. Various audio 'hats' made to cancel roof reflection effects and stabilise the image. Purchased individually of course with a matching 'hat' stand to hold your collection that doubles as bass trap)

 

[Poultrygeist]

Opens up a whole new area for tweakers:

* Special haircuts that minimise refraction and absorption.
* Custom ear hair trims for reflective stubborn hairs
* ECMs (ear cleaning machines)
* CCS (cranial clamp system for optimal sweet spot placement)
* Ear sculpting for minor plastic surgery adjustments to give optimal imaging
* ARRS (anti roof reflection system. Various audio 'hats' made to cancel roof reflection effects and stabilise the image. Purchased individually of course with a matching 'hat' stand to hold your collection that doubles as bass trap)

kinda lost me on that john

 

[Pio1980]

I have profound loss at high frequencies. At around 5.5khz, my hearing just disappears. I still love listening to music even though I can't hear many (most?) harmonics.

Pretty much me too, the VA provided hearing aids so I can stop playing the "sounds like" game to guess what folks are saying and to enjoy music even more again.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[c.coyle]

IMO you can improve the high frequency response of your ears simply by replacing the stock auditory nerve with something heavier gauge and of pure copper. I use Kimber Nerves. They immediately lifted the veil. I can't wait til they burn in after 100 hours or so.

^^^^^

Early front runner for post of the year.

Seriously, I'm stunned when I take one of those hearing tests. My 60 year old ears have taken a beating. I try to remember this when someone makes an extravagant claim about this interconnect or that cable. Maybe they're right.

 

[c.coyle]

My ears are good for 24 kHz. 13 on the left, 11 on the right.

Right. And I'm in the top 95% of my age group.

 

[TubeHiFiNut]

Anyone tried ear candling? Did it twice at an ear candling party. Maybe I could hear better but I'm not convinced. Nasty stuff that's pulled out of the canal by the up draft is a total gross out :thumbsdn:

I have heard of ear candling but this is the first time I have seen a picture of the actual process.....

 

[restorer-john]

ear candling is snake oil.

 

[g..v]

No way the draft from piece of burning paper can do the job of a vacuum. Otherwise it would probably burst an eardrum. To test it outside the ear would be simple enough to do. If all the crap in that photo came out of your ear you'd be nearly stone deaf.

Before I retired, annual hearing tests showed I had normal hearing for a person of my age, but as noted, the range of testing is limited. They are aimed at voice range anyway...quality of life stuff...so you can hear everyone in everyday communications.

 

[kevzep]

ear candling is snake oil.

Totally agree, those silly ear candles are so snake oil alright.

My girlfriend brought these home a couple of times, she has problems with her ears, I performed this ridiculous ritual on her, and it did not work at all....

I have found the only way to clean the ear out properly yourself, is to flush the canal out with warm water....
I was told to use olive oil my my doctor, and even this doesn't work, you ear just gets full of oil, some ear wax comes out, but it will not unblock your ear, or remove large amounts of wax....
I have such a device for flushing, and do it once a year, or if my ear gets blocked which happened recently....You need to be very carful not to use too much pressure as you can burst your ear drum....

The other annoying thing for me as we get older is a lot of hair grows in the ear canal, and the outside of the ear, and the ear lobes, eyebrows are a good example too......
So the wax buildup can cause problems more easily and more often as we are getting older...

Gotta look after those ears.....

 

[BadassBob]

I use one of these on a regular basis (once or twice a month).

Same here, plus I've always worn those little foam earplugs at concerts. Even with all of that, my hearing is only good to about 17KHz. Getting old sucks, and I'm only 34 :lmao:

 

[kevzep]

Same here, plus I've always worn those little foam earplugs at concerts. Even with all of that, my hearing is only good to about 17KHz. Getting old sucks, and I'm only 34 :lmao:

I have proper custom moulded earplugs, which have -15db attenuators, they are specially designed to maintain a flat response, so everything sounds normal, just quieter.
They are designed for musicians......I use them all the time when playing in bands...
I am also an Audio engineer, and when I just looking after the system and not mixing, I use them as well.
no more tinitus!!

I can hear to 16.5 kHz in both ears, I am 49.....

 

[TubeHiFiNut]

I have proper custom moulded earplugs, which have -15db attenuators, they are specially designed to maintain a flat response, so everything sounds normal, just quieter.
They are designed for musicians......I use them all the time when playing in bands...
I am also an Audio engineer, and when I just looking after the system and not mixing, I use them as well.
no more tinitus!!

I can hear to 16.5 kHz in both ears, I am 49.....

Outstanding advice. Best to protect our hearing BEFORE something bad happens.

It also seems that earbuds seem to help earwax build up. Maybe the earbuds help push the wax down the ear canal? I am not sure.

 

[Mr Rick]

I have profound loss at high frequencies. At around 5.5khz, my hearing just disappears. I still love listening to music even though I can't hear many (most?) harmonics.

I'm afraid I'm in the same boat. Far too much clubbing and live R & R in my formative years. But, I still love my music.

 

[dragondad]

I have about 30% loss in my right ear due to numerious infections and ruptures over from childhood through adulthood (all on the right side). I first noticed it when I thought my stereo was out of balance. Turns out it wasn't the stereo. But what has been amazing to me is the brain can within limits ADAPT! Now when I listen to a stereo, even headphones, it doesn't sound out of balance. Partly I think because in stereo sound the right and left are different anyway so you are not expecting them to sound the same. The right does not even sound quieter than the left. However if I do a direct sequential comparison, i.e. hold one side of the headphones to the left ear and then move it to the right I can instantly tell the attenuation. But under normal listening in stereo or surround, I do not pick up on it.

As far as cleaning, I use cotton swabs with mineral oil.