[Deezel177]

My ears get waterboarded every three years or so. I never notice a big difference in hearing before and after by the way.

I think my left ear is better than the right. Vocals are usually slightly off center, mainly with IEMs. I can correct it with 2 dB on the right side, but I'm used to it and usually don't bother.

Personally, I've also noticed that our centre-image can get affected by our other senses or biases as well. Sometimes, when I'm in a room that's unevenly lit, for example, my centre-image would begin to shift, and I'd notice an imbalance. My sanity test is to stand my hand against my nose or between my eyes. If the lead/central instrument aligns perfectly with my hand, then the imbalance I heard was just my mind playing tricks on me, and I didn't need to adjust the fit of the IEM or do measurements for an RMA, etc.

 

[gLer]

Personally, I've also noticed that our centre-image can get affected by our other senses or biases as well. Sometimes, when I'm in a room that's unevenly lit, for example, my centre-image would begin to shift, and I'd notice an imbalance. My sanity test is to stand my hand against my nose or between my eyes. If the lead/central instrument aligns perfectly with my hand, then the imbalance I heard was just my mind playing tricks on me, and I didn't need to adjust the fit of the IEM or do measurements for an RMA, etc.

Advanced centre-image balance technique #23. Do NOT try this at home!

 

[Animagus]

Fully agree, my right ear has about .5dB less sensitivity than my left, so I adjust for that as well. As you said, outside of listening to my iems, totally unnoticeable.

Please don't take this lightly. Most times, earwax build up or it blocking the eardrum is the cause for reduced or imbalanced hearing but you should definitely have this checked out properly. A Tympanometry test will tell you if your tympanic membrane is functioning properly or if there's a problem.

In general, if anyone is facing an ear related medical problem and want to get your ears checked and also cleaned, you need to go to an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) specialist doctor. He's the right doctor for that. Not all GP doctors keep an ear cleaning kit handy and most definitely don't have the camera and microsuction probes. Microsuction is the quickest method to suck out all the earwax. Doctors also use a scooping tool that is in the shape of a very tiny spoon, and they scoop up the earwax one by one. If you go to a General Practitioner (GP doctor) with an ear problem, he will mostly refer you to an ENT specialist too.

Whatever problem you're facing, the ENT specialist will prescribe the right tests to diagnose the problem, tests like Audiometry (tests your hearing ability), Tympanometry (tests proper functioning of tympanic membrane), etc.

If you just want ear impressions made and earwax cleaned, you can go to an Audiologist. An Audiologist is not a medical doctor but a medical professional who is responsible for conducting tests, identifying, diagnosing and helping treat ear related problems and disorders. Audiology department works in tandem with the ENT department in a hospital and are responsible for conducting all ear tests prescribed by the ENT doctor.

Audiologists are more than capable of cleaning your ear wax out properly but for all ear related medical problems, I'd recommend seeing an ENT specialist first.

 

[Animagus]

Personally, I've also noticed that our centre-image can get affected by our other senses or biases as well. Sometimes, when I'm in a room that's unevenly lit, for example, my centre-image would begin to shift, and I'd notice an imbalance. My sanity test is to stand my hand against my nose or between my eyes. If the lead/central instrument aligns perfectly with my hand, then the imbalance I heard was just my mind playing tricks on me, and I didn't need to adjust the fit of the IEM or do measurements for an RMA, etc.

Haha. It's also difficult to focus on the centre image (imaging in general) when lying down sideways. I can watch a movie lying down sideways but listening to music is a little uneasy since I can't focus on the instrument placement properly. OCD when it comes to music maybe?

 

[MatW]

Please don't take this lightly. Most times, earwax build up or it blocking the eardrum is the cause for reduced or imbalanced hearing but you should definitely have this checked out properly. A Tympanometry test will tell you if your tympanic membrane is functioning properly or if there's a problem.

In general, if anyone is facing an ear related medical problem and want to get your ears checked and also cleaned, you need to go to an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) specialist doctor. He's the right doctor for that. Not all GP doctors keep an ear cleaning kit handy and most definitely don't have the camera and microsuction probes. Microsuction is the quickest method to suck out all the earwax. Doctors also use a scooping tool that is in the shape of a very tiny spoon, and they scoop up the earwax one by one. If you go to a General Practitioner (GP doctor) with an ear problem, he will mostly refer you to an ENT specialist too.

Whatever problem you're facing, the ENT specialist will prescribe the right tests to diagnose the problem, tests like Audiometry (tests your hearing ability), Tympanometry (tests proper functioning of tympanic membrane), etc.

If you just want ear impressions made and earwax cleaned, you can go to an Audiologist. An Audiologist is not a medical doctor but a medical professional who is responsible for conducting tests, identifying, diagnosing and helping treat ear related problems and disorders. Audiology department works in tandem with the ENT department in a hospital and are responsible for conducting all ear tests prescribed by the ENT doctor.

Audiologists are more than capable of cleaning your ear wax out properly but for all ear related medical problems, I'd recommend seeing an ENT specialist first.

It differs by country. Here the audiologist will send you to the GP to get earwax removed (waterboarding style), then you can come back to have impressions made.

 

[Deezel177]

Haha. It's also difficult to focus on the centre image (imaging in general) when lying down sideways. I can watch a movie lying down sideways but listening to music is a little uneasy since I can't focus on the instrument placement properly. OCD when it comes to music maybe?

It's most likely because films have lots of ambient sounds anyway, and dialogue is usually captured with boom mics, so it's not gonna be as precise as a singer singing into a cardioid. Dialogue recorded on location will also record sounds bouncing off walls, etc. So, the centre image won't be as defined as it would be in a musical track, where the cleanliness or definition of the recording is paramount, and where imaging is a major component.

 

[Animagus]

It differs by country. Here the audiologist will send you to the GP to get earwax removed, then you can come back to have impressions made.

In a hospital scenario or even in the case of an independent audiologist's setup? In audiology, cleaning out ear wax for ear impressions and even in case of some tests is a basic requirement. Shuttling a patient to a GP who is generally overloaded with general OPD patients, just to have earwax removed seems a bit unnecessary, especially if he's not available in the same setup.

 

[MatW]

In a hospital scenario or even in the case of an independent audiologist's setup? In audiology, cleaning out ear wax for ear impressions and even in case of some tests is a basic requirement. Shuttling a patient to a GP who is generally overloaded with general OPD patients, just to have earwax removed seems a bit unnecessary, especially if he's not available in the same setup.

Independent setups. It's highly annoying. You make an appointment. They peak in your ears and if there's wax buildup they send you right back out the door... The ear cleaning is done by assistants at the GP's, the GP him/herself doesn't come into the picture.

 

[Animagus]

It's most likely because films have lots of ambient sounds anyway, and dialogue is usually captured with boom mics, so it's not gonna be as precise as a singer singing into a cardioid. Dialogue recorded on location will also record sounds bouncing off walls, etc. So, the centre image won't be as defined as it would be in a musical track, where the cleanliness or definition of the recording is paramount, and where imaging is a major component.

Well, a lot of the dialogues are ADR'd these days but it's not really the recording techniques or mix differences for me. One of the things is that if I'm lying down sideways on the left (for example), the left ear piece on the pillow gets pushed in extra and that changes the insertion depth, skewing the imaging for me. Then it's me not being as concerned about dialogue and foley imaging when lying down and watching a regular movie 'casually' as much as I'm particular about hearing music 'right' at all times. Sitting/standing upright makes it easier to mentally image the band like they're performing in front of you, not as easy when lying down sideways. It's more an obsessive musician thing I guess. On the other hand, if a movie has a crazy soundtrack, foley and effects, I always watch it sitting upright, on my home studio setup or have my best headphone/IEM plugged into my interface for a proper intense watch. That's when I really care. Haha. The Dark Knight trilogy or any of the Marvel/DC movies for example.

 

[Animagus]

Independent setups. It's highly annoying. You make an appointment. They peak in your ears and if there's wax buildup they send you right back out the door... The ear cleaning is done by assistants at the GP's, the GP him/herself doesn't come into the picture.

Ah man!

 

[normie610]

(waterboarding style)

man this sounds like one of those scary interrogation techniques

 

[MatW]

man this sounds like one of those scary interrogation techniques

Yes, a reference to a joke made here.

 

[normie610]

Yes, a reference to a joke made here.

ah didn't realize that

 

[Frankie D]

Nope, just audiology department of local Health center. They focus on hearing loss and hearing aide, so they make impressions right in the office. I schedule check up appointment, pay $30 copay for doctor visit, get my ears scoped and cleaned, if needed, and the doctor doesn't mind making a few impressions every time I'm there. He doesn't even know I review, probably thinks I'm in a band lol!!!

That’s great. My ENT acts like I am speaking another language if I ask for them. I usually go to another place entirely for the impressions.

 

[rantng]

Haha. It's also difficult to focus on the centre image (imaging in general) when lying down sideways. I can watch a movie lying down sideways but listening to music is a little uneasy since I can't focus on the instrument placement properly. OCD when it comes to music maybe?

Heh I thought it was just me. I've found to fully appreciate staging or instrument placement I need to either be sitting up or if I'm lying down, have my head slightly elevated above the rest of my body, whether I'm listening to music or watching a movie. If I'm watching a movie while laying on my side I need to also have the screen oriented sideways to fully enjoy it. I know, it's weird/anal.