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Double Bass Diplacusis - hearing different pitches across both ears

swingingoodtime

swingingoodtime

Mar 19, 2009
390
10
Sydney, Australia
www.swingingoodtime.com
#1
Hi all,

I have a hearing problem called diplacusis in that my right ear hears a semitone higher than my left. Sounds freaky, but in general things work out a bit like vision; the brain mixes the two discrepant signals into something workable and fortunately the difference is not so significant to be always noticeable (I did once read about a sax player who woke up one morning to a difference of a full sixth :eek: between both ears!). However, being an upright player and a singer, it plays merry hell trying to intonate accurately when playing with others (although singing not so much; I can rely on muscle memory & throat resonances as reference points); if I'm not concentrating really hard, or have my amp/monitor on my right, I get a false sense of being sharp, even though the tuner says the bass is in tune with the band.

No idea how long I’ve had this, but I noticed it about 2 years ago when I swapped the phone from one ear to the other when it was ringing (Surprise!). Been to specialists, had tests; my hearing sensitivity seems fine, it’s just a pitch problem. Causes have been postulated as allergies, sinus issues, fluid in the ear, but all these things have either passed over time with no impact upon the pitch issue. Funny thing is that the fluid issue is in my left; when I bend over to tie a shoelace or something, I get a crackling sound like a faulty plug connection in that ear. But that’s the ear that I’m pretty sure is the good one! :confused: (Ooo, maybe it’s the result of mobile phone radiation…!)

Anyone else have this problem? Any tips on how best to deal with it?
 
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#2
Wow - I feel for you, especially because I had a similar thing happen as a side condition to a two year bout with Eustachian tube dysfunction. There were times when the dysfunctional ear would fill with fluid so much that I had two different pitches about a semitone apart from each ear. Very frustrating, and actually hit me the first time right before a big gig. In my case, they were able to clear the fluid with meds, i.e. prednisone, which made me play everything at punk rock speed.

As far as what I did, since my own problem came and went, then went away entirely after about 2 years, I was able to focus on the parts, muscle memory, etc. and didn't rely as much on my ear. When in doubt, I tried to stick with fundamentals and keep things harmonically simple and rhythmic.

Not sure if this is helpful - you're probably already thinking all of this. I just feel for you as I've had this similar problem. I was lucky in that mine went away.

BTW - have you seen a specialist ENT?
 
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#3
Thanks for the encouragement Cush; I've grown fairly used to it, but there was a period when I lost a lot of confidence in my ability to intonate & pitch. Made gigs hell. Then I just stopped trying to overthink it & went on instinct and it got easier to deal with; it's still a problem, but it doesn't freak me out like it used to. Your tips are good advice; I'll focus on them. A trip to the ENT specialist is also probably the next step.

Out of interest; in your case, which ear was fluid-filled and which direction did it pitch-shift? Up or down?
 
#5
swingingoodtime said:
Out of interest; in your case, which ear was fluid-filled and which direction did it pitch-shift? Up or down?
Click to expand...

It was my right ear filling with fluid, and the pitch would be lower by a semitone in the affected ear. It was most evident with higher pitches, which actually messed harder with low note intonation (i.e. playing bass!), since I couldn't hear the difference. Definitely had gigging situations where I had to really focus on playing fundamentals and simpler approaches. The problem also being that it would come and go over 4-6 week period and last anywhere from 5-10 days at a stretch.

Two doctors at my primary care and then an ENT, who's a jazz guitarist and friend of mine, said there wasn't much to be done, but that it generally ran it's course within 18-24 months. At almost exactly the 24 month mark, I noticed that it wasn't coming back. That was about 6-7 months ago, and the last occurence of it was about 9 months ago. So far so good.

It sounds like you've made some thoughtful adjustments to your approach and have managed to compensate pretty well. Would still be good to see if there's anything an ENT could do to help. It's a really frustrating sensation as a musician. Shoot - even if I were just an avid listener, I'd be pretty frustrated!!
 
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#6
Just wanted to chime in here, as I'm suffering from this now. This is a new thing for me (last three weeks or so). I haven't seen a doctor yet, but will be making an appointment ASAP.

In my case, my right Eustachian tube "feels" wrong, and I hear pitches two semitones lower in that ear, compared to my left. I'm still pretty much in the "mild freaking out" stage right now.

I'm trying to learn some new songs for a band that I'm subbing with in a few weeks, and have been frustrated that in a few cases, I literally couldn't tell whether the notes I was playing were in the key of the song I was listening to. Certain notes were close, but none sounded right. I've always had an excellent ear for this sort of thing, so this has got me pretty spooked.

Off to do more research...
 
#7
IndyBass said:
Just wanted to chime in here, as I'm suffering from this now. This is a new thing for me (last three weeks or so). I haven't seen a doctor yet, but will be making an appointment ASAP.

In my case, my right Eustachian tube "feels" wrong, and I hear pitches two semitones lower in that ear, compared to my left. I'm still pretty much in the "mild freaking out" stage right now.

I'm trying to learn some new songs for a band that I'm subbing with in a few weeks, and have been frustrated that in a few cases, I literally couldn't tell whether the notes I was playing were in the key of the song I was listening to. Certain notes were close, but none sounded right. I've always had an excellent ear for this sort of thing, so this has got me pretty spooked.

Off to do more research...
Click to expand...

I do recommend getting to your doctor as quick as possible. If it's what I had, they can give you something like Prednisone to clear the fluids. If it's not what I had (Eustachian tube dysfunction) then it's better to get on it quickly and figure out what it is. It's annoying as heck, and make your music life really frustrating. I'll be interested in hearing what you're dealing with.
 
#12
IndyBass said:
Just wanted to chime in here, as I'm suffering from this now. This is a new thing for me (last three weeks or so). I haven't seen a doctor yet, but will be making an appointment ASAP.

In my case, my right Eustachian tube "feels" wrong, and I hear pitches two semitones lower in that ear, compared to my left. I'm still pretty much in the "mild freaking out" stage right now.

I'm trying to learn some new songs for a band that I'm subbing with in a few weeks, and have been frustrated that in a few cases, I literally couldn't tell whether the notes I was playing were in the key of the song I was listening to. Certain notes were close, but none sounded right. I've always had an excellent ear for this sort of thing, so this has got me pretty spooked.

Off to do more research...
Click to expand...

Sorry too hear that you're struggling with this too; I hope it clears up for you soon. Having said that (and apologies if this doesn't help on the freaking-out front), be prepared; I was originally advised that it may just be allergy related and that anti-histamines may help, but that was a year after having noticed it and over a year since seeking help with no change. Cush's lasted a couple of years, but at least his cleared up.

BeginnerBass' suggestion of blocking off the problem ear is a valid one (and something that I've contemplated) but only hearing out of one ear also brings a whole new raft of problems (it's bloody difficult, for a start!), but maybe it could work for you. Most importantly, seek good help & hang in there!
 
#14
Well, had the doctor's appointment this morning, and I appear to have an ear infection on two fronts. The skin on the surface of the canal is inflamed, and there is an infection in the middle ear that is causing pressure on the back side of the eardrum.

This diagnosis was a bit surprising, as I've had no pain to speak of, but at least there's something there that can be attacked with meds as a start. I have two antibiotics on board now, so we'll see what happens.

fdeck, did your issue clear up with the infection, or did it hang on for a long time? Thanks.
 
#15
I can't say I have ever had anything quite like that but you do mention something that does sound very familiar and no doctor has figured it out. I get a similar crackling effect when I lift something from down low. I get it all the time when I am playing with my kids (lifting them etc.). The sensation is the ear filling with fluid and ambient sounds turn into a crackling static interference. It is sometimes excited by loud noises etc. For a lack of better words, it sounds like a kazoo playing in sync with lower frequencies. Sound familiar?
 
#16
bassics1975 said:
I can't say I have ever had anything quite like that but you do mention something that does sound very familiar and no doctor has figured it out. I get a similar crackling effect when I lift something from down low. I get it all the time when I am playing with my kids (lifting them etc.). The sensation is the ear filling with fluid and ambient sounds turn into a crackling static interference. It is sometimes excited by loud noises etc. For a lack of better words, it sounds like a kazoo playing in sync with lower frequencies. Sound familiar?
Click to expand...

Yep, that's exactly what I used to get in my left ear; I still sometimes get the fluid-shifting-around sensation (albeit less severe), but I've not had the crackling for a little while now.

INTERESTINGLY, HOWEVER...

Given my recent postings and the change in my left ear (the supposedly good one), it got me thinking: “Let’s see if the problem has changed any.” Picked up the phone yesterday, listened to the dial tone & swapped the handset from ear to ear.

Yep, it’s changed. BUT:

Now my right ear is LOWER than my left. Again, about a semitone. Ah haa haha hahhhaahhhaaaaaarrrrgh...... Clucking Bell. I mean, seriously: Clucking Bloody Bell. Now I'm in that wonderful space of not knowing which ear to trust(again!). Mild freaking out aside, the following questions spring to mind:

- Does this mean my right ear has dropped a whole step?
- Or, has my left ear gone UP a whole step?
- Are both my ears stuffed now?
- If the right has dropped, was there a period in between when they were actually equal?
- Was my impression of the left ear being the good one actually incorrect?
- Will I ever be able to play music again (:eek:!!!!!)?

I need to run some L/R reference tests to see which ear is correct. I'm hoping that it's only the right that has changed, as it means that the change has occurred without me noticing; this means that my brain is adjusting the incoming signals somehow to maintain a sense of true pitch (I think. I hope). Unfortunately, the fact that the only discernable physical change (the ceasing of the crackling) occured in my left ear makes me truly nervous.

One thing to note, however, is that I've been clenching my jaw tight in my sleep at night; so much so that I wake up with a headache (toothache, actually; all my molars feel compressed). It's been happening for several months now; my dentist said it's probably from stress and there's no tooth wear (so I'm not grinding them), but perhaps the muscles near the jaw-hinge are swollen & affecting my hearing?

I need to bump that ENT appointment waaaaaay up the priority list…:help:
 
#17
Well, I certainly hope the ENT is able to do something for you. One thing that comes to mind is the eustachian tube. This tube connects the middle ear to the back of the throat and opens ever so briefly when swallowing or yawning to equalize the pressure of the middle ear with that of the outer. If there is a malfunction, you experience a pressure differential and the eardrum will not respond to ambient vibration properly. Believe me, I am no doctor and make no medical claims here-I play the bass but given my own frustrations with some things you describe, I have looked at all possibilities. I really hope the ENT can give you some answers to help rest your mind...all the best!
 
#18
bassics1975 said:
Well, I certainly hope the ENT is able to do something for you. One thing that comes to mind is the eustachian tube. This tube connects the middle ear to the back of the throat and opens ever so briefly when swallowing or yawning to equalize the pressure of the middle ear with that of the outer. If there is a malfunction, you experience a pressure differential and the eardrum will not respond to ambient vibration properly. Believe me, I am no doctor and make no medical claims here-I play the bass but given my own frustrations with some things you describe, I have looked at all possibilities. I really hope the ENT can give you some answers to help rest your mind...all the best!
Click to expand...

Yeah - that's what I've had off and on for about 2 years now: Eustachian tube dysfunction (see second post). I thought it went away and now for the past week or so I've been struggling with it again. From reading this thread, there are several different things going on. ENT was only so helpful in that I got general information, but with the symptoms active there's nothing for him to see. Problem is that when I make appointments, I've got a week or so before I can get in, then the symptoms magically go away. Perhaps I should schedule a weekly appointment? :-)

Swingingoodtime - Interesting to hear about the "bi-level" infection - that is great that it's treatable!
 

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