[luc0]

I AM SO STUPID!

For the last 4 years, I have had my Logitech Z560 subwoofer (it's loud) on the right side of my desk. Directly to the right of my chair. Obviously this has completely killed the hearing in my right ear, especially the bass. I only just noticed now, after the damage has been done. The doctor said the eardrum looks a lot thicker on the right ear.

I judge my hearing in my right ear overall around 65%, and the bass response almost gone. This is a huge distraction when I listen to my Super.Fi 5pros because my left ear seems pummeled by bass compared to my right. It's ruining the musical experience because I get focused on the imbalance

So this is a warning to people that you might not always notice hearing loss in progress. Always BE CAREFUL and keep in mind possible damage to your hearing. I wish someone had told me to be more careful, 4 years ago.

Anyone know if my hearing will ever come back? Are there steps I can take to encourage my hearing to regenerate. Obviously I've moved the subwoofer, but I haven't even used my speakers since I realized my mistake. The Super.Fi's are so great sounding, but they are heavy on bass and I can REALLY FEEL the imbalance between ears. Is there anything I can do to lessen this effect? I assume fading the music more to my right earphone will make my hearing loss even worse, so I'm gonna try and not do that. Even when I do, the complete lack of low-end and clarity in my right ear is annoying as hell.

Let this be a warning to you all. PROTECT YOUR HEARING. I will probably have to live with my stupid mistake for the rest of my life.

 

[Predator88]

Eesh.....thats rough. I feel for ya man. Yea subwoofers are the worst for doing damage. If you turn your headphones up really loud it hurts your ears to listen to, thus you don't listen to them for more than a second on that volume. You turn a sub up near you and you won't be able to tell the damage its doing. Thats why when I see people who drive around in their cars with the bass constantly blasting all of the time I sort of chuckle (in a rather mean spirited for of way I guess).

 

[InspectorGadget]

Quote:

Originally Posted by luc0 I can REALLY FEEL the imbalance between ears. Is there anything I can do to lessen this effect?

Move the subwoofer to the left side for 4 years? (sorry could not resist, please dont hate me

I am very very sorry to read of your troubles. I am sure that it will affect you for the rest of your life. I would say now that your going to take better care of your ears, maybe a little will recoup but I would say it will never be perfect.
Have you gone to a doctor for this yet? If I can ask, how old are you?

 

[luc0]

Quote:

Originally Posted by InspectorGadget Move the subwoofer to the left side for 4 years? (sorry could not resist, please dont hate me I am very very sorry to read of your troubles. I am sure that it will affect you for the rest of your life. I would say now that your going to take better care of your ears, maybe a little will recoup but I would say it will never be perfect. Have you gone to a doctor for this yet? If I can ask, how old are you?

I'm 20

I went to my family doctor, and he was gonna book a hearing test. I'll have to ask the audiologist (sp?) about steps to do everything possible to fix my hearing. I wonder if theres any supplements I can take. But I have to say it's been 2 months since I stopped using the woofer and theres been no noticeable improvement. I feel so retarted for being totally oblivious to the damage for so long. The reliazation was instant too, and shocking. Just one day I had the earbuds in and I noticed it, and in half a second I knew it was from the sub. It's hard not to dwell on it, but I'll learn to live with it I guess.

Or: Someone construct a pocket sized device that can adjust bass independantly for each channel. I'll pay you 50 dollars. gogogogogoooogogo

 

[PYROphonez]

That's tough... I suggest trying to limit the bass and volume level of your music now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Predator88 Eesh.....thats rough. I feel for ya man. Yea subwoofers are the worst for doing damage. If you turn your headphones up really loud it hurts your ears to listen to, thus you don't listen to them for more than a second on that volume. You turn a sub up near you and you won't be able to tell the damage its doing. Thats why when I see people who drive around in their cars with the bass constantly blasting all of the time I sort of chuckle (in a rather mean spirited for of way I guess).

I personally can't stand people that do that. Some guy pulled up next to our car, and his bass was so loud it hurt my ears to hear it... I was kinda worried when I got into my friends car (who happens to be emo..) and he has a tendency to listen to loud screamo in and around class. Surprisingly, I got in, and his music was at a normal or low listening level!

 

[mrarroyo]

Sorry to hear about your pain, and good advice. I will add a different example, it is driving with the driver's window down while passing or being passed by large rigs. It may not seem like much but year in and year out adds up. So be careful.

 

[acs236]

I've never heard of that happening. I'm surprised that's an issue and, if so, that there are not more reports like yours. I hope everything works out.

 

[Lostlamb]

Why not EQ the sound for the left ear to the same perceived sound levels as your right ear. That way, instead of messing up your right ear some more, your left can be aclimatized to the levels your right ear is hearing.

Try accupuncture, and I don't mean putting pins in your ear!!

Start protecting your left ear.

 

[Asr]

Wait let me get this straight, the bass from your subwoofer has harmed your right eardrum? That's possible? How does that work?

 

[gevorg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by luc0 The Super.Fi's are so great sounding, but they are heavy on bass and I can REALLY FEEL the imbalance between ears.

While exploring medical options, try to see if EQ and volume adjustments for L/R can give you a better balance. Don't use a sub, and don't listen close to loud volumes until your hearing improves.

 

[Squeek]

But bass is omnidirectional

 

[Thaddy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squeek But bass is omnidirectional

Yeah, exactly how close was your subwoofer? Man you must have really been crankin' it!

Hopefully your audiologist gives you some good news though.

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

Why do you have a subwoofer on your desk? Shouldn't it be against the wall on the ground?

-Matt

 

[tkam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Predator88 Yea subwoofers are the worst for doing damage.

Not to go off-topic, but technically speaking this isn't accurate. It takes much higher dB levels of low frequency sound to damage your ears compared to the dB levels in which high frequency sound can cause damage.

 

[iluvcans]

sorry to be grim-- but your "normal" hearing will not return. once you "lose" hearing-- you cannot regain it-- you can only make an attempt at dealing with it-- like with amplification from a hearing aid-- but your true natural hearing is gone forever. i suggest trying to take the best care of your hearing environment in the future.. i'm pretty cautious myself-- and am getting better at doing the same for myself...