Have you ever played a gig having a blocked ear?

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Hi everybody.

Of course, using good earplugs is always a good thing if you care about your hearing, but this is a different (and annoying) thing. Three days ago, my right ear was blocked by a clog of ear wax and right now I'm using drops to soften it (I will have it removed through syringing tomorrow). The thing is, I never thought it would be so complicated to play a gig in that condition. Last night I was very uncomfortable because I felt the whole band totally out of tune. Songs' keys kept fluctuating in my ears and, due to that, I played lots of wrong notes because I felt very confused (don't know if having absolute ear has to do with this) and didn't dare to sing background vocals. Tried using only my left earplug to compensate, but it didn't work since my right ear is REALLY blocked. It's the first time in almost 21 years of gigging that this happens to me. Any similar experiences? (Aaarrgghhh! )

[ibnzneksrul]

I've had virtually the same experience with a clogged ear. Everything sounds like it's way off down a long hallway. Very unnerving.

[BassChuck]

I've had that experience. Painful. And yes, highly unnerving. I don't think absolute pitch has a thing to do with it... unless its interesting to note just where and how far the pitch moves. You were most wise not to sing backup, you would have no idea where you pitch was. Not a place for fretless bass either.

[Stinsok]

Had blocked ear with an ear infection. What would have been a fun gig was simply awful.

[bassist 4 life]

Dont worry man, itl get better, blocked ear with earwax is nothing compared to being deaf. Hang on man, having a blocked ear can be really annoying :/

[Baryonyx]

Couldn't you just use something to remove the blockage, like a lollipop stick?

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Originally Posted by Chris2112

Couldn't you just use something to remove the blockage, like a lollipop stick?

I've always read that it's very dangerous because you might perforate the eardrum, Chris. Anyway, I tried (very gently) with Q-Tips and it didn't work. That clog is stuck very deep inside my ear.

[Baryonyx]

Wow, thank God I've not had a blocked ear then!

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Anyway, I've passed through this before (it's just that this is my first encounter with it at a gig) and I can tell you that the ear syringing experience is a very pleasant one. After done, you feel that your hearing improves A LOT (Jaime Sommers would be really envy ).

[TrooperFarva]

There's some stuff they sell in pharmacys, I can't remember what the brand is called, but there's a few different types, and basically, what it does is dissolve ear wax. I've used it a few times, and it really works well. You drop it in your ear, let it sit for about 10 minutes, then clean your ear out with warm water using a ball-syringe thing that it comes with. You'd be amazed at the amount of stuff that comes out of your ears.

[SuperDuck]

Originally Posted by Chris2112

Couldn't you just use something to remove the blockage, like a lollipop stick?

I would not recommend this! You risk pushing in and condensing the wax even more, not to mention potentially pushing up against and (worst case scenario) rupturing the ear drum!

As mentioned above, there are kits available at Walgreen's and other pharmacies that work great. I've had this happen twice, and each time the kits from Walgreen's worked like a charm.

That's one of the most frustrating and annoying things that has happened to me!

[Baryonyx]

It's never happened to me, but according to your reports, it seems to be a repeat offender, so heres hoping I get lucky!

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

This is like the third or fourth time (not sure) in my life that it happens to me. I clearly remember the first one, a couple days before receiving my high school diploma when I was 16.

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Wow! What a difference! I went to an otorhinolaryngologist, but he didn't use the syringing procedure. He used sort of small vacuums to clean my ear and ordered some drops because, according to him, I have an infection thanks to the glycerine drops I was using to soften the wax. He told me that they are really bad and were discarded as an ear treatment long ago.

Also asked me if I use Q-tips to clean my ears and I told him "Yes, very gently". He said that I should only use them to clean the external area, but never for the ear canal. Then I asked "So how should I clean my ear canal?" His reply: "With your elbow!"