Dr. Says Don't USE IEMs for a While

[John Reeves]

Hi,
As the title says, before spending lots of money you should try OtoEase
OtoEase Lubricant for Custom Plugs, Molds and Hearing Aids - Earphone Accessories
This product together with OtoFirm is available from many hearing aid suppliers, or you can buy it over the net.

This lubricant will allow you to continue to use your current set up and will hopefully stop the irritation and allow your ears to heal up.

If it doesn't do the trick, then you will only have wasted a few bucks.

I really, really hope this helps as I fully appreciate your frustration.

regards
John

 

[ClieOS]

There are a lot of reason why your ear got irritated (besides IEM), but whatever you have decided to do, I'll suggest you to follow your doctor advice to stay away with IEM for a while till the symptoms are all gone.

 

[fumashirou]

Don't use IEM over 2 hours a day

 

[Aevum]

get some KCs75 or some PX100 and use them till you ears heal, maybe use some lubrication or tea tree oil to recude the irritation,

 

[chongy5]

If doc says don't use IEMs, then don't use IEMs. Simple as. Putting some lubrication is still using the IEMs.

 

[antonyfirst]

Lick your fingers and touch the tips.

 

[soozieq]

Ohhh, sounds ominous. I had 2 really bad ear infections recently and my GP reckoned it was the humid conditions caused by the iems (breeding ground for bacteria!) I let the first infection clear up, then within a few days of using my Denons, I got a second infection. My ear canals were really swollen, itchy and dry. So I was told to lay off the phones for a further 2 weeks and then when it had cleared up, to put the tiniest amount of E45 cream on the end of my little finger and 'moisten' my ears once a week.

If your GP advises a rest from them, I'd take note. Also, get in the habit of wiping down your earphones with antiseptic wipes after each use. It's no fun having an ear infection. . . and even less having two

 

[scompton]

Do you have seasonal allergies? This time of year my ear canals swell up from the pollen and I can't put my im716s in my ear without a lot of irritation. My UM1s are fine because they barely go in my ear. Canal phones like the Senn CX300 were fine when I used them for the same reason.

I know you can't use any for a while until the irritation clears up, but if it happens again, you might want to consider something that doesn't go as far in your ears.

 

[Claus-DK]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fumashirou /img/forum/go_quote.gif Don't use IEM over 2 hours a day

Because ????

As stated earlier I use mine 8-9hours a day and have been doing so for 2 years, before that I used foamplugs almost 20 years in total.....

I have many coworkers who does the same without any problems of any kind..

But keep you tip fresh (if using foamies) and wash them and boil them once in a while if you are using silikone...

 

[nickdawg]

You gotta keep them clean to reduce putting more bacteria back into your ears. The irritation is probably caused by inserting and removing the plugs and rubbing against the canal.

I'm not so sure about using lubrication. Sounds like it could end up causing problems. Could it add to the build and block the ear, like wax? Plus, I don't like the idea of putting something moist in my ear and keeping it sealed in there.

 

[audiofan]

Hmm...all this talk about bacteria on tips makes me want to apply isopropyl alcohol to mine.

 

[nickdawg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiofan /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hmm...all this talk about bacteria on tips makes me want to apply isopropyl alcohol to mine.

I just got done cleaning my IEMs. These gross stories really make you think about this.

 

[Agent69]

Quote:

Originally Posted by -=Germania=- /img/forum/go_quote.gif Get d1000 or ES7's for portable phones. You will get near the same detail level with the ES7's and they might suite your tastes better if you enjoy the SA6. Both are closed and designed for portable use.

I've looked into closed phones on Head-Fi and the ES7's seem to be highly regarded. They would be a candidate for my next pair of cans if I were looking for closed headphones.

 

[Baba booey]

what type of job do you get where you can listen to music for your whole shift? I'm in!

I'd say think about getting the Sony MDR-V6's. I heard they're great and you can get them for ~$65 online.

 

[scompton]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baba booey /img/forum/go_quote.gif what type of job do you get where you can listen to music for your whole shift? I'm in! I'd say think about getting the Sony MDR-V6's. I heard they're great and you can get them for ~$65 online.

I'm a computer programmer and I listen 6-8 hours a day at work. Basically, whenever I'm not in a meeting.