 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bohunk
Date: 2003-05-21 18:36
I had a collasped eardrum repaired yesterday...asked my ENT when it would be safe for me to start playing my bass clarinet again...he didn't know...I'm the first patient of his to ask him that...he said that he tells other patients not to fly for at least 2 weeks; but as air pressure is different inside one's head, he wasn't sure, but ventured a guess at around two weeks...(he told me he's going to research it further...).
Have any of y'all dealt with this type of repair and know a more definitive answer? Our community band summer season starts with Memorial Day weekend and I hate having to miss playing any of it but don't want to redamage the eardrum.
TIA - Beth
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-05-21 23:16
Sorry to hear about your badl luck and wonder how it happened. No advice on your question.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-05-21 23:19
Ask the doc when the MAXIMUM time would be. And wait that long. Then ask if you could practice sooner if you wore heavy duty sound proof earmuffs or something of the sort. Although you won't be able to hear yourself, you should be able to feel all the notes. I like to do this every once in a while. I've kinda got a feeling for my clarinet and can practice without making a sound. I can feel if my tonguing is matching my finger movements or I can feel what dynamic I'd be at if I allow the reed to vibrate.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: aubert
Date: 2003-05-22 00:49
Beth,
You probably won't want to hear this, but personally, I'd wait at least a month post-op. The tympanic membrane (ear-drum) can be a tricky healer and prone to rupturing again. I cannot tell from your post if this is the first time you've ever had such a repair (or what type), but I would underscore this if you've had a previous repair. I know you'll miss the Memorial Day event, but the possible misery and aggravation with poor healing or the risk of rupturing your eardrum repair just isn't worth it.
Regarding the 'ear-muff' comment, remember .... in playing the clarinet, what you are concerned with (more than vibrations from sound) is pressure developing inside the oral cavity and pushing from the inside (through the Eustachian tubes) towards the healing ear-drum. So, covering the external ear won't help this issue.
Good Luck with your patience, and heal up nicely!
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-05-22 01:16
I, personally, would only seek professional medical advice on this ... not banter from a Bulletin Board
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Author: bohunk
Date: 2003-05-22 01:26
Thanks for your input and concern...I knew I couldn't make memorial day but wasn't sure how far into the summer season I'd possibly miss...
Good news is, my eardrum didn't collaspe from playing the bass - it was the result of various ear infections throughout childhood weakening the membrane...
I know this is more than you wanted to know, but if it helps with responding...what happened is the eardrum collasped upon the ossicles, cutting off bloodflow to that area...so the actual repair was to take a piece of cartiledge and use it as a wedge to prop up the eardrum....
Looks like I'll put some major time in the music library this sumer <g>
beth
edited to read: I am waiting on my ENT to get back to me on how much down time I'll be looking at...but it doesn't hurt to solicit opinions from others who may have gone down this road also so I have a rough idea at the amount of down time I'm facing....
Post Edited (2003-05-22 02:33)
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Author: aubert
Date: 2003-05-22 02:24
Even though I did respond with 'advice', and it sounds like you have a fairly complicated case, I do echo diz' statement above about closely following your ENT's counsel, of course. As someone once said about advice ... 'remember how much you paid for it' (especially on the net). I wish you well, and hopefully you'll dig up something interesting in the music library this summer!
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-05-22 14:19
One can solicit advice but one does not have to follow it.
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Author: sdr
Date: 2003-05-22 16:07
I am a clarinet-playing ear (otology/neurotology) specialist in Boston. The hazard in blowing hard is popping your ear by forcing air up the Eustachian tube before the surgery has healed enough to tolerate the pressure. I advise my patients to avoid strenuous activities or pressure events (such as flying) for 10-14 days after surgery. Thereafter, they are free to participate in activities without restriction (except lifelong prohibition against scuba diving). No matter how hard you blow your bass clarinet, it is unlikely you will force air up the Eustachian tube, so you are probably safe to play any time after 2 wks post-op. HOWEVER: YOUR OWN DOC SHOULD HAVE THE FINAL SAY IN THIS MATTER.
-sdr
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