Topic: Ears - the most important gear

[fanofjam]

Every other year I have an appointment with an audiologist, who tests my hearing in an anechoic chamber. Also removes any ear wax buildup, a bonus.

Here in California, apparently an audiologist can't clean your ears.  Guy told my Dad he has a slight buildup in one ear and he has to go to a Dr.  This state can drive you nuts about that type of thing.

[guitard]

Every other year I have an appointment with an audiologist, who tests my hearing in an anechoic chamber. Also removes any ear wax buildup, a bonus.

Here in California, apparently an audiologist can't clean your ears.  Guy told my Dad he has a slight buildup in one ear and he has to go to a Dr.  This state can drive you nuts about that type of thing.

A few years ago, I found myself at an urgent care clinic for a build-up in one of my ears.  I'm not sure what you would officially call him, but the first person who saw me was not a nurse; probably a medical assistant.  He got one of those spray bottle ear wax removal kits and blasted my ear several times with warm water mixed with something.  That didn't do it, so in came a PA.  She got to digging with a gizmo with a camera on the end of it (bonus: the asst held up an iPhone displaying the camera video for both of us to watch).  Had me fixed up in no time.  I don't remember a doctor being directly involved.  This was in Michigan.

[aaronji]

Usually, mineral oil will do the trick to keep your ears wax free. My doctor wife first told me about it, but it is listed on many professional websites, including from HealthBC and Harvard. There are also OTC products, such as Debrox.

[checht]

Scope of medical practice is legislated state by state, oddly. So ymmv in terms of who does what.

In OR, audiologgists can perform ear wax removal and general clearning. My audiologist has the otoscope hooked to a 50" tv, quite cool to observe into the canal 😀

[RyanJ]

I'd rather go to an ENT if I am going to get my ears cleaned.

Nice thing is my ENT doc also has an audiologist in their office. So everything can be done in the same office!

[opsopcopolis]

Speaking of ear health, this is a pretty sweet new product

https://www.sensaphonics.com/collections/audio-gear/products/db-check-pro

[Gutbucket]

Nice!

I realize that's targeted at musicians monitoring through IEMs but IMO that functionality really should be a standard feature built into most phones.

[opsopcopolis]

Agreed for sure. They've greatly expanded the range of products that it can work with, so that's a start. Tempted to buy one for the band I work with, but they're all on generic ears and I kinda doubt this will work...

[nassau73]

As for earplugs:  I currently use the Eargasms and Etymotics, but have a slight preference for the fit of the former.  I just had full silicon molds made ($50), but have not yet pulled the trigger on full customs yet--still exploring my options here (e.g. MEE vs TLS)

I've been using Etymotics for years after hearing about them in various posts here at TS. I assume you are using the High Fidelity version of eargasms. How do they compare with the Etys as far as cleanliness of the sound?

Also, does anyone have any experience with Alpine Party Plug? Interesting info at the Alpine website. They have models that are 21db reduction and also 19db. Etymotics currently says their reduction is approximately 20db.

[checht]

...Etymotics currently says their reduction is approximately 20db.

Etymotics Musicians Earplugs use 9,15, or 25db filters.

[Gutbucket]

I forget how they measure it, it might be the maximum reduction, or at 1kHz, or perhaps some kind of weighted average.

In any case, the actual reduction is not constant across all frequencies, and will vary depending on how they are used.  That's what makes any two plugs from different manufacturers sound different, sometimes dramatically, even though they might state the same attenuation figure.