distortion when playing the piano

[Sanditon]

I also am a musician ( pianist) and had microsuction a few weeks ago to clear ear wax. I have had problems with playing the piano ever since as the sound is distorted - tinny and top notes sound ‘dead’.

I would never have microsuction again and I think it should be looked at seriously by the medical profession. I used to have my ears syringed every couple of years with absolutely no problem. I haven’t been back to the audiologist who performed the procedure as I had to sign a form beforehand. I shall contact my GP though.

I’ve never had problems with tinnitus until now.

I am so sorry for the other musicians who are suffering. The ISM used to have a specialist to help musicians with hearing problems.

[SandraMarric]

I had something similar a few weeks back. I hadn't had my ear wax treated for some time and went to have micro suction. The technician spent about 15 minutes on my right ear - the noise was extremely loud and at times hurt. He told me that I would have to go away and use olive oil for several more weeks and return later. My left ear was the same - he only had a very quick attempt at micro suction however in that ear and said it was impossible to treat at that time.

When I returned to the car and switched on the music it was dreadful - a completely tinny sound - the sound you get if a metal paperclip or similar has been dropped onto the strings of a grand piano. At choir that evening the sound was really distorted and I was desperate. I decided that there was no way I was going back for more micro suction and found an audiologist who quickly and painlessly syringed out the wax, Since then - to my very great relief - the vibrating sound isn't there but I've tested my ears and my right ear has a reduced upper high frequency limit compared with the left. I am only thankful that the micro suction was stopped before it did more damage.

I hope that your hearing return to normal. As a musician it means so much

[Windu]

Hello everyone.

I also had something similar five months ago. I've never had a problem with my ears before. I've had ear wax removed with a syringe before without any problems. After microsuction , I lost the ability to hear high-frequency sounds. I've also had tinnitus since then.

I'm not a professional musician, but I played guitar at home as an amateur. I loved doing that. It was my passion, but now the high-frequency sounds are distorted.

I’ve also very reactive Tinnitus, so I can't play guitar or listen to music anymore. My ears are also sensitive to other sounds, such as a hoover or a coffee machine. For five months my hearing has not returned to normal. I'm devastated.

I'm currently under audiologist.

I agree with you Sanditon that doctors should take a closer look at microsuction method. I don’t think it’s safe.

[Lynne-H]

I agree - I too prefer syringing - problem today is GP Surgeries no longer carry out this procedure. They claim microsuction is safer but I think they just don`t want to do syringing - probably to save money. I have an independent audiologists just along the road from me who does both microsuction and syringing. It costs me £60 for an appointment for syringing but it`s worth every penny.

Hopefully your ears will settle down given time.

[Happyrosie]

what I personally have found (I’m not a musician but love my Mozart and haydn). Whichever way my ears are cleared, whether its by syringing or suction, sound is distorted for a day or two.

If you try to get a nurse to syringe, it’s no longer part of a surgery’s core duties so not all surgeries do them. Then you’ve got a two, three, four week wait to get an appointment. Then the nurse takes a look and says, I can see (there’s a bit of infection, or I can see the eardrum) and wont do it.

I’ve never had to sign a form for suctioning, and it’s always been done beautifully (though I’m dizzy, and noises are distorted afterwards until my brain gets used to the difference).

Each to their own!

[Choralmusic]

Hello Sanditon/Everyone

I agree with a lot of what has been said.

I too have had microsuction done on my left ear in November 2023 and since that time I have experienced tinnitus. I initially had distortion and a thinny sound in my left ear, following microsuction , I remember being on the bus and someone was talking on their mobile phone, it sounded so loud and every sound seem to vibrate. Thankfully, that has settled down but, unfortunately, I have still got the tinnitus. I occasionally used to get my ears syringed at my GP’s surgery but they couldn’t accommodate me this time. If the wax in my ears needed clearing again I wouldn’t have microsuction, I would have them syringed.

I’m not sure if microsuction caused the tinnitus as I had a couple of acute vertigo attacks late last year which may have caused the tinnitus. I’ve got an ENT appointment coming up, hopefully, that will go well. . My husband has had tinnitus for 15 years, following chemotherapy and finds keeping busy and being absorbed in something helps distract the brain from tinnitus. Everyone is different and I know it’s not always easy

All the very best and good health to everyone.

Kind regards.