Ear Damage
Graham Charlton
I started playing tenor sax about a month ago and I'm really pleased
with my progress. I've had mild tinnitus (ringing in the ears) for years
but the horn has made it much worse. Now using ear plugs and playing
much more softly, it seem every time I pick it up I do more damage. Is
this the end for me?
--
Graham Charlton
CalSax
Only your doctor can advise of that. I would go to one now !
Steve
Subject: Ear Damage
From: Graham Charlton <gra...@grahamcharlton.demon.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 7 Sep 1997 20:05:51 +0100
Message-id: <QfzoMIAP...@grahamcharlton.demon.co.uk>
Michael L. Sparacino, DO
Graham,
I'm a family physician that plays sax. One thing you may want to try is an
adhesive pad to put on top of your mouth piece where your upper teeth meet
the mpc. Not uncommonly, the vibration of the horn, transferred to the ear
ossicles, can exacerbate tinnitus. Good luck!
Michael
Graham Charlton wrote in article ...
James S. Hill
In article <QfzoMIAP...@grahamcharlton.demon.co.uk> Graham Charlton <gra...@grahamcharlton.demon.co.uk> writes:
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>From: Graham Charlton <gra...@grahamcharlton.demon.co.uk>
>Newsgroups: rec.music.makers.saxophone
>Subject: Ear Damage
>Date: Sun, 7 Sep 1997 20:05:51 +0100
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>I started playing tenor sax about a month ago and I'm really pleased
>with my progress. I've had mild tinnitus (ringing in the ears) for years
>but the horn has made it much worse. Now using ear plugs and playing
>much more softly, it seem every time I pick it up I do more damage. Is
>this the end for me?
>--
>Graham Charlton
Dear Graham,
Do see an audiologist. There are some very high tech (and, unfortunately,
high priced) ear plugs that can reduce the decibel level you hear without
significant change to the sound spectrum. Many professional musicians use
these. I see a number of string players use them in symphony orchestras,
especially when sitting directly in front of the trumpets and trombones.
These might be an option for you.
James Hill
Professor of Saxophone
The Ohio State University
Daniel Dorff
jsh...@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (James S. Hill) wrote:
>>I started playing tenor sax about a month ago and I'm really pleased
>>with my progress. I've had mild tinnitus (ringing in the ears) for years
>>but the horn has made it much worse. Now using ear plugs and playing
>>much more softly, it seem every time I pick it up I do more damage. Is
>>this the end for me?
>>--
>>Graham Charlton
>
>Dear Graham,
>
>Do see an audiologist. There are some very high tech (and, unfortunately,
>high priced) ear plugs that can reduce the decibel level you hear without
>significant change to the sound spectrum. Many professional musicians use
>these. I see a number of string players use them in symphony orchestras,
>especially when sitting directly in front of the trumpets and trombones.
>These might be an option for you.
In addition to the above, Ginkgo Biloba extract pills can be very
helpful for reducing the ringing.
____________________________
Daniel Dorff
DDo...@presser.com
Composer-in-residence, Haddonfield Symphony
http://www.presser.com/dorff.html
Alon Wolman
Graham Charlton wrote:
>
> I started playing tenor sax about a month ago and I'm really pleased
> with my progress. I've had mild tinnitus (ringing in the ears) for years
> but the horn has made it much worse. Now using ear plugs and playing
> much more softly, it seem every time I pick it up I do more damage. Is
> this the end for me?
> --
> Graham Charlton
Regular exposure to more than 85 decibals of sound isn't good for
anyones ears. I generate around 100 with a metal mpc. on tenor and the
volume level can be slightly uncomfortable. I find my ears are more
comfortable when I wear -20db headphones while playing. But, of course,
it sounds a lot better without them and so I don't use them as often as
I should. I am concerned about getting hearing loss or tinnitus at an
older age if I continue to play saxophone. Playing next to the trumpets
in community band doesn't help either. Does anyone have any feelings
about this? How much are hearing aids that lower the sound without
distorting it?
Hugh Inglett
>I started playing tenor sax about a month ago and I'm really pleased
>with my progress. I've had mild tinnitus (ringing in the ears) for years
>but the horn has made it much worse. Now using ear plugs and playing
>much more softly, it seem every time I pick it up I do more damage. Is
>this the end for me?
>--
>Graham Charlton
It may be congestion...I take decongestants and sometimes
anithistimines and it helps. I have noticed that playing puts a lot
of pressure on my ears...
Good luck
Hugh