@Kazue
Yes, it's good that you are going to see the ENT. Given that you are prone to ear wax it is likely just that, especially since it has been quite some time since the loudspeaker incident. Even if you do have a noise spike of some kind, it likely will resolve over a few months because you are young and your body is resilient! If any small amount of damage exists it will heal over and your T will get better, and if it's wax then you will get better 100% as soon as your ears are cleaned.
But this should be a meaningful and well-timed message for you to be wary of loud music and loud venues.
As a personal story, my hearing started to go when I was 17 because I abused my Ipod, and I had exceptional hearing back in those days and had a gift for music appreciation. In college, I went to a lot of dance clubs and parties and I still didn't really get the message that I was slowly hurting myself, even though I sometimes wore ear protection. It took just 4 more loud noise events back in 2015 to finally push my body over the edge; at 21 I developed chronic migraines that basically fueled hearing losses by themselves, and other neurological problems that I still can't get a-hold of. Not to mention that my body has become intolerant of loud noises and that I cannot go anywhere in public where they exist in high quantities.
I, like you, also love music, probably more than I love a lot of people in my life! I still have some of my music with me, but I am losing both the low and high tones now, and I empathize with you in that it can be totally heartbreaking and a scary thing to think about. But you are still far, far away from that happening I assure you!
I don't mean to share these experiences to scare you, as I think I was extraordinarily unlucky to develop these problems and that it would not happen to you. But being that you value your music so much, I would hate to see this happen to someone else like you who has so much life ahead and beautiful things to listen to.
I've left some advice below which you can take or leave, but I think it will help to protect your ears and music appreciation in the future, while also allowing you to keep engaging with and enjoying music for as long as you live.
On the ipod topic, I would be very careful with listening to music with your ipod. You may want to consider getting a pair of portable speakers to plug into your ipod instead and let the sound waves go into the atmosphere; they diffuse and scatter, leaving more space between them and your ears, so that way you are less likely to get hurt by the noise. If you still want to have the private awe inspiring listening experience then:
- Buy headphones that fit over the ears, not into the ear canal so that the sound waves are not so close to the inner ear
- Set the max volume to around 40-50%.
- Don't listen for more than 30-45 minutes a day. I've had things happen to my hearing when listening at the quietest levels possible after just an hour.
And just for future advice if you go to concerts/noisy venues again:
- Make sure to bring well fitted earplugs every time you choose to go to one (foam earplugs are the best, but you can also buy custom made 'musician's earplugs' if you can afford them, which are very comfortable for ears).
- Stay as far away from the speakers as possible (probably stay at the back), and take breaks from the venue if you can to give your ears a rest.
- Drink lots of water, as dehydration can make you more susceptible to the loud noise.
- If you can bring your phone in to an event, download and use a free app called Decibel. It measures the sound levels of the environment around you. If you see the sound levels start to go about 100, and especially 110 at a venue, that spells trouble especially if that sound is bass (bass cuts through earplugs). That should be the signal to leave the area, as those levels can cause inner ear damage in just a few minutes time, which could be permanent.
- Last but not least I would also think it best to limit the number of venues and concerts you go to. Some have the potential to do lasting damage even if you do everything to protect yourself. Maybe choose a couple a year, saving your absolute favorite artists for your choices, and be choosy about the genre (metal concerts are particularly loud and destructive).
Aand...that's about it. I hope I have given you something that is at least reassuring and helpful (hopefully not just plain annoying). And I am hoping the best for your ENT visit!
Member
