This is to be answered only in private messages, please, as it deals with a medical problem.
I had surgery on my left ear a year and a half ago, to deal with a conductivity problem. As a result my left ear has become extremely sensitive to
sound. The surgeon said the sensitivity would go away in a year, but it has increased. One problem this raises is that it hurts to play
flutes and whistles, even if I’m wearing earplugs. I’m shying away from high notes.
Has anybody had this problem or anything related? Suggestions welcome. Thanks.
Yes, I’ve asked the surgeon, who told me I would get used to it within a year. It’s been a year and a half and it’s getting worse. He also says there is a little muscle in the middle ear that the surgery removed, and it somehow muffles sounds that are too loud. I’ll talk to him about it when next I see him (appointment scheduled), but I have the strong impression that he doesn’t know what’s going on and that even if he does, he can’t do anything about it. I’ve reached the point of diminishing returns with ear surgery, personally, having had three of them. Things are going south with my ears, probably a lot to do with age, and there seems to be no stopping it.
No, I haven’t asked my GP/internist, who I know very well, well enough to know he will refer me
to the ENT surgeon.
I’m shifting to mandolin, which doesn’t hurt my ears. So I may post on this board less often. You won’t have jim stone to kick around anymore! At least not here.
Any chance we could approach this as a whistle or flute design problem … make an instrument that’s gentle enough for you to play? Maybe not in a session, but at least for your solo enjoyment. Is it the entire second octave that you can’t handle, or just the upper end of it?
I’ve been performing a lot, often on the street, and I think, at least I think now, that the solution is to shift entirely to mando.
At least for awhile. I can play mando loud if I wear ear plugs.
I’m sincerely grateful to everyone for the suggestions and interest. Things that arise pass away again,
I tell myself. It isn’t as though I never played the flute. Many thanks, Jim
Actually, that’s what I was wondering and going to suggest. I know my friend who was playing the Great Highland Bagpipes wore ear plugs when he was playing regular gigs and therefore practicing frequently.
Sorry to hear about your hearing problems Jim. I suppose you’ve tried the various ear plugs that can cut out, or diminish certain frequencys. Would a lower pitched flute, a Bb be easier on your ears?
It sounds like you should really consult an audiologist, a different specialty entirely. Only with a complete audiological profile of your problems can you begin to make informed decisions about instrument choices and possible solutions - physical, electronic or otherwise. But good luck with whatever musical directions you choose.
Thanks, I’ve been been seeing audiologists for decades and wearing hearing aids, too. Saw one this morning, in fact.
Good wishes appreciated and reciprocated, Jim
A note to say that I have found a way to go on playing flute. The problem was that surgery has left my left ear
very sensitive to sound, so much so that even with earplugs a flute’s sound was too painful.
I’ve purchased industrial ‘ear muffs’ for use with heavy machinery. These block sound very well but I
am still able to hear flutes and whistles. I’ve yet to play with other instruments but I think I should
be able to hear them too. The drawback is that I look like a man from Mars. Also the muffs
are bright red hard plastic. Our next gig is a Halloween party, so I should fit right in. The future
is less certain…
