Ear Infection - Audio Strangeness?

ambiophonics

Hey Guys,

A bit of an odd one here. For the last several weeks I've been noticing some strangeness in my audio system, vocals seem very present, almost like there is a resonant peak somewhere above the vocalist that moves parallel with it. Some would describe this in audio terms as "treble grain"

I have been troubleshooting my main system trying to find the source of the problem but am noticing the issue on all playback systems now that i've become aware of it. I have some slight popping or pressure in my ears but only when I yawn do the usual tricks to pop ones ears. I've included a quote a web link to an excellent description of what i'm experiencing.

Any thoughts? Anyone else noticed anything like this? I am setting up an appointment with the Dr but would love to "hear" some responses in the meantime to see if they "resonate" with what i'm experiencing.

"A particularly annoying treble characteristic is graininess. Treble grain is a coarseness overlying treble textures. I notice it most on solo violin, massed violins, flute, and female voice. On flute, treble grain is recognizable as a rough or fuzzy sound that seems to ride on top of the flute?s dynamic envelope. (That is, the grain follows the flute?s volume.) Grain makes violins sound as though they?re being played with hacksaw blades rather than bows?a gross exaggeration, but one that conveys the idea of the coarse texture added by grain."

http://www.avguide.com/review/the-critical-listener-s-lexicon-tas-207?page=1

ambiophonics

Hmm. Looks like nobody else has experienced this?

skrol

I think I have experienced something like this a few times in the past (usually once a year). The sound gets very distorted and even becomes very irritating. Mine was treated with steroid nasal spray and anti-histamine. It usually passes within a couple weeks.

Hang in there. I pray it passes quickly
Stan

cnh

Some people sometimes have unequal pressure in opposing ears. This happens to me sometimes after heavy exercise and it takes a while to return to normal. It can affect your hearing, for me, mostly in one ear. But I imagine that you could have it in both.

An ear infection is also possible. Especially when popping, etc. is experienced. Have you checked in with your physician to confirm and possible prescribe some antibiotics?

cnh

skrol

For me, the eustachian tube would either become inflamed or clogged and lead to the unequal pressure. This can be from allergy or infection. Since there is so little air flow normally through the tube it can be prone to infection and a rather difficult to treat. Doctors seem to like to come at it from multiple fronts treating with anti-inflammatory, antibiotics and antihistamine.

Conradicles

cnh wrote: »

Some people sometimes have unequal pressure in opposing ears.

I have this. Music does not always sound right unless I barely "pop" my bad ear by holding my nose, closing my mouth and gently blowing to open the ear up. If I do it too hard everything sounds completely awful. I suspect many have this and do not realize it.

nwohlford

I had an ear infection last fall. It is a pretty miserable experience as an adult. I basically did not listen to much music for about a month, because even after the infection goes away, the fluid is still there for a while. You will generally have balance problems and feel very disorientated.
Often when I have sinus issues from either allergies or a cold, I do have a fair amount of pressure in my ear canals. This does not tend to be anywhere as bad as an ear infection, but it can still really mess with my hearing.

ambiophonics

Thanks for all the responses. I just got back from the Dr. and she said that one of the tubes going from the nose to the ear - Eustachian Tube as skrol mentioned above, is slightly inflamed which could cause some hearing issues and slight popping in the ears. She prescribed some medicated nasal spray to help remedy the issue... We'll see what happens.

I like the idea that when my stereo doesn't sound right I can go to the Doctor for a solution!

Thanks everyone.

Face

Unless it's an infection, take a zyrtec and you'll be fine. I experience the same thing time to time and it's due to allergies or a slight cold.

ambiophonics

I'll try the zyrtec also... Thanks!

soundfreak1

Dont sugguest u try anything else along with a prescribed med without talking with the dr first!!! Could have a reaction especialy if u tale a srwroid of any king!!!!!!!!

gdb

I have always had problems with ear equalization whether it is while scuba diving/snorkeling, flying or even big altitude changes riding in a car. It sucks a$$ ! The only help for me is doing what Conradicles does and force my ears to "pop" from the inside. Sometimes.....there's a creepy squeaking sound that accompanies the pop, especially when diving ! PS: chewing gum and exagerated swallowing can sometimes help too.

BeefJerky

Been there, done that, got the T-shirt...just a little over a year ago, in fact. It was very annoying. In the "bad ear" it sounded like I was listening to music underwater, particularly with the higher frequencies. I remember that it happened right around the time I got my new turntable cartridge too. I couldn't really even listen to it until about a month later, which was depressing...

tonyw

You may be experiencing ear wax buildup, id have to assume that the resonances yo speak of are colorations due to earwax being on your ear drum, other than that I can vouch for pressure variations, sometimes I have to pop my own ear to hear my 5000 watt alpine system in my car correctly!

kidglove13

I had a nasty ear infection about a month ago, could not even lay all the way down, had to sleep propped up the first few nights until the meds kicked in.

At least you can hear

My left ear was so infected and clogged that it took about 3 weeks+ until I was actually able to really enjoy any type of stereo music, music through my SDA's forget about it, it was horrible

It suck working at home listening to music and not even enjoying it.

It was more like noise than music to me.