NHAD (new hearing aids day)

[Robert****]

So my latest gear purchase is customized for me!

My hearing is damaged in the higher frequencies, so I was told I need these. Why? Loud drummers. And years in bands in general.

I can certainly hear better with them, but I'm not sure I'll keep them or not. I don't like having something in my ears, and as long as people are too far away when talking, I can hear them. The problem I have is being in a room with background noise, trying to talk to somebody.

Mine are skin color. I'm going full stealth!

[Jimi75]

Hi Rob, loud rehearsing and gigging leaves marks. I also have problems at times understanding what people say to me, but still I didn't have the guts to make a hearing test. Good luck to you, I think you did good testing your hearing and going this road!

[tjcurtin1]

That's a pretty funny thread title! It should be in the New Gear / other brands section, though...

[duhvoodooman***]

....The problem I have is being in a room with background noise, trying to talk to somebody.

^ This. Only in my case, it's mostly a matter of age, since I've never been in a band until our church praise band starting a couple of years ago. But we don't play loud and our drummer uses an electronic set that's not bad on the ears at all.

Well, best of luck with the new aids!

BTW, how are the hand & head coming along?

[Robert****]

My head is better, my vertigo problem seems to have been fixed by the physiotherapist. I have one more checkup.

My hand however, is slow to get back to normal. It's still sore.

[duhvoodooman***]

I had a problem a few years ago with "trigger finger" on my fretting (left) hand. The first couple of times I saw my orthopedist about it, he gave me a cortisone/lidocaine injection and the problem went away. For a couple of months. Then it came back, and I got another injection. Better for a while, and then the problem recurred....quicker than the last time. After 4 injections, it was getting pretty clear that a more permanent solution was needed. I bit the bullet and had the trigger finger surgically repaired, and it hasn't recurred since. Took a few weeks to heal completely, but was well worth the inconvenience. Just saying that if the hand doesn't start responding, you might want to look into the possibility of a surgical solution.

[Robert****]

Trigger finger? Good thing you aren't a police man!

Thanks, I'm seeing a 3rd specialist about it soon. Probably will be fine with more time, but I'll keep going back anyway.

[duhvoodooman***]

Trigger finger?

Yep, trigger finger. Not good when you want to play guitar.

[tjcurtin1]

I've often wondered if some pro guitarists who have an ice-pick tone do so because of a hearing problem - they lose the high frequencies and crank up the treble to compensate...? (Not talking about you, Robert - your tone is always beautiful).

[Brian Krashpad]

Dude, you're just falling apart!

I kid because I love. I call this "amp ear." I'm sure if tested it would show I have it to some degree.

[poodlesrule]

I've often wondered if some pro guitarists who have an ice-pick tone do so because of a hearing problem - they lose the high frequencies and crank up the treble to compensate...
....

Similarly, I read or heard that many notable jazz musicians do tend to play higher on the register as they age.

Having an existing hearing problem, I managed to do some more damage recently, by screwing around with a audio device with headphones on.. Very loud pop in my left ear, not been the same since. A hearing exam would be a waste of time...

Separately, I pick up an amusing intermittent buzz from our Samsung TV's built-in speakers, something like the familiar fret buzz. I toy with it when spouse is watching boring stuff..!

[marnold***]

Yep, trigger finger. Not good when you want to play guitar.

Since my snowblower incident, my ring finger on my right hand is basically a trigger finger. It's not so bad that I've gotten surgery. I got a shot in it a little over a year ago. It helped. Thankfully you don't use your ring finger for much. If it was my index finger, it'd be a much bigger deal.

[Tig***]

Dang, Robert. You're having a difficult time in the health department lately, and you're the healthiest guy here!

OK, EVERYONE, TYPE LOUDER WITH THE CAPS LOCK ON FOR ROBERT.

I kid, I kid!!!

But seriously, let the body heal and don't push the damaged areas too much. Hearing sadly never gets better as we age, but hearing technology does.