Since everybody was so helpful with my last questions, I have one more.

Lately I find that after recording sessions (which many times go late into the wee hours) my hearing feels ... compressed, is the best way I can describe it. Like everything is far away, or somebody put latex over my ears. I'll wake up the next morning with the same problem and it can last a couple of days.

Please don't tell me to turn down because when this first started happening I freaked and now I am very cautious about the volume levels. When in the recording stage I keep it ridiculously low and only turn it up when I'm mixing. Even then I don't let it get excessive.

Of course, when I am performing it doesn't help matters with all the monitors and such.
I am willing to bet that this is a common problem so what do you guys do?

Very interesting and very important topic. First of all, are you using any kind of headphones? If so, stop using headphones and rely on monitors.

Second, stop working for very long time. Take breaks.

Third, Have you tried some excersices such as opening your jaw as wide as possible, moving your jaws in circular movement and trying as much as possible to open the ear/nose canal.

Fourth, you really need to visit your doctor NOW! and ask for the "ear pressure" test.


This is very important.

DesertMusician....Sorry to hear about your hearing problems. You did not indicate how old you are, because most of us get a limiting of hearing as we become older. You mention that you are now very sensible of the listening levels that you use, but think back over the past years because the degradation of hearing is dependant on noise levels we have subjected our ears to over many past earlier years.

Graham

DesertMusician:
Echoing Sk880...that was my first thought also. Sometimes I'll do an all-nighter, but what those odd time sessions usually involve editting, so, yes I'll be wearing phones.
If you're recording, use your monitors, not headphones. Unless you need phones for some editting/scrubbing etc.
I'll use a single phone(1 side) for recording some vocal parts, but that's really all.
Good Luck....
...and see your Doctor....before you do any permanent damage!!!

Yes I do use headphones mostly. Good idea, I'll stop that. I feel stupid now, why didn't I think of that?

Well, Please report after some time, if your ear conditions improve. Thanks.

As a general rule, (according to the mags/books I've read..) is to record and mix at the lowest volumes possible. Sure do a final mix at a higher volume, but your long sessions should always be at low volumes. And what also helps is to stop, listen to some natural sounds (wind, noise, tv, etc..) this helps your ear drum relax. Also, make sure to clean your ears out often. Ear wax build up can cause permanent damage as well. (yuck!)