Klarinet Archive - Posting 000072.txt from 2002/10

From: "Anthony Wakefield" <tony-w@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: [kl] Pitch difference between ears
Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2002 05:35:03 -0400

> The book listed several causes for damage to either the hairs or the
> cells that begin the depolarization, but (according to the textbook)
> damage to the hairs from loud noise is far and away the most common
> cause. Although the textbook did not give numbers, the implication was
> that 90%-95% of the cases are related to hair damage rather than to the
> nerve cell damage.

Following on from Bill Wright`s informative and stolen disertation; my own
(laymans) account, (as much as what I can remember) of what I was told by
the nurse who syringed my ear`oles out, (and this will not immediately help
T. Pay`s problem, but nevertheless will contribute a very small piece in the
jigsaw of contributions) - these hairs (Bill`s hairs) become over-sensitive,
or precautionarily sensitive when loud noises/sound hits the ear drum. In
turn, this 'awareness' starts the process of manufacturing of wax. This wax
is the ear`s protective substance. It`s not very efficient in my estimation,
as it cannot wholly stop the process of damage to the ear drum before it
becomes too late. If these hairs become, lets say 'overworked' due to the
typical musician`s environment, could it be that they eventually become
tired of producing these protective mechanisms, which work quite well under
'normal' hearing conditions. Do they in turn become damaged, as a result of
which havoc to recognising pitch, (and other unknowns?) becomes prevalent.

It might be generally known in the medical world that once damage (of some
kind) occurs because of high volume sounds, then it becomes an impossible
task to repair. This might not be generally known in the worlds of
musicians`.
Then again, I might be talking through my other orifice.

Professional advice is therefore the only other alternative - "£150 an hour
please - - - - -"

Best,
Tony W.

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