[JayN]

Before I discuss the strange problem, here is some relevant info:
I've had a cold for the past week or so. I think there was mucous
buildup involving the ears because the "clicking noise" that I usually
hear in my ears when swallowing went away temperarily. I also noticed
some "pulsed" ringing in my ear that seemed to coincide with my
hearbeat pulse. (as if there was extra pressure in that ear). That
isn't currenly happening now, and I can now hear the clicking noise
when I swallow, although I think there is some residual congestion in
my ears because when I sneeze it sounds like mucous is rattling around
internally especially in the right ear.

The reason for this post is that there is a very strange problem with
my hearing that I suddenly noticed last night, and never noticed
anything like this before. This is not a joke. At first I thought
something was wrong with my computer because some music I was
listening to, especially a guitar solo, sounded sour, as if the guitar
was doubled but the doubled pitch was off.

Bottom line is that when I hear a pitch through my right ear, I am
perceiving the pitch higher by 25 (or more) cents higher than when the
same pitch is heard through my left ear. To confirm this, I connected
a pair of headphones to the computer. I then play a pitch on the
keyboard while holding one cup of the headphones to the left ear. I
then sing a note (to attempt to match the note I am hearing) into a
software-based guitar tuner that tells me the exact pitch I am singing
and whether it is sharp or flat. Then, I switch ears, (hold the same
cup of the headphones to the right ear). When I hear the same pitch
it now is percieved as sharper, and when I sing (to match the note)
into the tuner it confirms that I am singing 25 cents or greater
higher.

My right ear, even before the code, perceived less high frequencies
than my left, but I've had trouble with excessive ear wax developing
in that ear. As an experiment I tried plugging up the left ear, so
that the left ear perceives even less highs than the right, and yet I
am still perceiving the note heard from the right ear as higher in
pitch than the one heard from the left ear.

I've tried comparing different pitches in different octave ranges and
the results seem the same. The left ear seems to be the more accurate
one.

I am wondering what could be causing this to happen? Could an
infection cause the pitch perception in one ear to change in an upward
direction? If so, then exactly how would an infection cause a note
heard through the right ear to be perceived as higher in pitch than
the same pitch heard through the left ear.

Could fatigue, from having a cold, and also from getting less sleep
than usual cause something like this to happen?

Could this be something neurological happening that needs to be
checked out?

Has anyone ever read about or encountered any condition like I just
described, or is this a wild anomaly?

Thanks,

Jay

[Boston Blackie (happily ignored by KD the Merciless!)]

On 2008-07-12 13:56:06 -0500, JayN said:

tch perception in one ear to change in an upward
direction? If so, then exactly how would an infection cause a note
heard through the right ear

I am so new to this that don't think I have a clue.

But I did notice, years ago, that the act of yawning seems to lower
perceived pitch of music by about a semitone. I don't know why, I
never worried about it, but it sounds as if maybe a semitone separates
your pitch perception between your two ears? The change might not be
in your right ear, which sounds higher, but actually the distinction
between it and your left ear which might be detuned South.

Just a guess.

[yrret]

Many years ago I took up drumming for the first few months I didn't use any
plugs and it left me with a ringing ear for about 8 months. The colour of
the sounds I heard would change in a pulsing manner as if I were plugging
and unplugging my ears. It faded away slowly. For me it was pretty obvious
what caused it, but still a good idea to see a doctor because a tumour might
also cause or exasperate it.

[Ken]

On Jul 13, 4:56*am, JayN wrote:
Before I discuss the strange problem, here is some relevant info:
I've had a cold for the past week or so. *I think there was mucous
buildup involving the ears because the "clicking noise" that I usually
hear in my ears when swallowing went away temperarily. *I also noticed
some "pulsed" ringing in my ear that seemed to coincide with my
hearbeat pulse. *(as if there was extra pressure in that ear). *That
isn't currenly happening now, and I can now hear the clicking noise
when I swallow, although I think there is some residual congestion in
my ears because when I sneeze it sounds like mucous is rattling around
internally especially in the right ear.

The reason for this post is that there is a very strange problem with
my hearing that I suddenly noticed last night, and never noticed
anything like this before. *This is not a joke. *At first I thought
something was wrong with my computer because some music I was
listening to, especially a guitar solo, sounded sour, as if the guitar
was doubled but the doubled pitch was off.

Bottom line is that when I hear a pitch through my right ear, I am
perceiving the pitch higher by 25 (or more) cents higher than when the
same pitch is heard through my left ear. *To confirm this, I connected
a pair of headphones to the computer. *I then play a pitch on the
keyboard while holding one cup of the headphones to the left ear. *I
then sing a note (to attempt to match the note I am hearing) into a
software-based guitar tuner that tells me the exact pitch I am singing
and whether it is sharp or flat. *Then, I switch ears, (hold the same
cup of the headphones to the right ear). *When I hear the same pitch
it now is percieved as sharper, and when I sing (to match the note)
into the tuner it confirms that I am singing 25 cents or greater
higher.

My right ear, even before the code, perceived less high frequencies
than my left, but I've had trouble with excessive ear wax developing
in that ear. *As an experiment I tried plugging up the left ear, so
that the left ear perceives even less highs than the right, and yet I
am still perceiving the note heard from the right ear as higher in
pitch than the one heard from the left ear.

I've tried comparing different pitches in different octave ranges and
the results seem the same. *The left ear seems to be the more accurate
one.

I am wondering what could be causing this to happen? *Could an
infection cause the pitch perception in one ear to change in an upward
direction? *If so, then exactly how would an infection cause a note
heard through the right ear to be perceived as higher in pitch than
the same pitch heard through the left ear.

Could fatigue, from having a cold, and also *from getting less sleep
than usual cause something like this to happen?

Could this be something neurological happening that needs to be
checked out?

Has anyone ever read about or encountered any condition like I just
described, or is this a wild anomaly?

Thanks,

Jay

The following link may be useful.
http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/jw/hearing.html

[Mason C]

On Sat, 12 Jul 2008 15:56:29 -0400, "Soundhaspriority"
wrote:


"JayN" wrote in message
...
Before I discuss the strange problem, here is some relevant info:
I've had a cold for the past week or so. I think there was mucous
buildup involving the ears because the "clicking noise" that I usually
hear in my ears when swallowing went away temperarily. I also noticed
some "pulsed" ringing in my ear that seemed to coincide with my
hearbeat pulse. (as if there was extra pressure in that ear). That
isn't currenly happening now, and I can now hear the clicking noise
when I swallow, although I think there is some residual congestion in
my ears because when I sneeze it sounds like mucous is rattling around
internally especially in the right ear.

The reason for this post is that there is a very strange problem with
my hearing that I suddenly noticed last night, and never noticed
anything like this before. This is not a joke. At first I thought
something was wrong with my computer because some music I was
listening to, especially a guitar solo, sounded sour, as if the guitar
was doubled but the doubled pitch was off.

Bottom line is that when I hear a pitch through my right ear, I am
perceiving the pitch higher by 25 (or more) cents higher than when the
same pitch is heard through my left ear. To confirm this, I connected
a pair of headphones to the computer. I then play a pitch on the
keyboard while holding one cup of the headphones to the left ear. I
then sing a note (to attempt to match the note I am hearing) into a
software-based guitar tuner that tells me the exact pitch I am singing
and whether it is sharp or flat. Then, I switch ears, (hold the same
cup of the headphones to the right ear). When I hear the same pitch
it now is percieved as sharper, and when I sing (to match the note)
into the tuner it confirms that I am singing 25 cents or greater
higher.

My right ear, even before the code, perceived less high frequencies
than my left, but I've had trouble with excessive ear wax developing
in that ear. As an experiment I tried plugging up the left ear, so
that the left ear perceives even less highs than the right, and yet I
am still perceiving the note heard from the right ear as higher in
pitch than the one heard from the left ear.

I've tried comparing different pitches in different octave ranges and
the results seem the same. The left ear seems to be the more accurate
one.

I am wondering what could be causing this to happen? Could an
infection cause the pitch perception in one ear to change in an upward
direction? If so, then exactly how would an infection cause a note
heard through the right ear to be perceived as higher in pitch than
the same pitch heard through the left ear.

Could fatigue, from having a cold, and also from getting less sleep
than usual cause something like this to happen?

Could this be something neurological happening that needs to be
checked out?

Has anyone ever read about or encountered any condition like I just
described, or is this a wild anomaly?

Thanks,

Jay

See
http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-...neural+pitc h
and, in particular,
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6651625

It appears you have some neurological involvment. Although the literature
implies it's permanent, I wonder if it has to be. Generally, only the most
persistent complaints are actually seen by doctors.

Unless you have pain or fever, there's very little the medical profession
can do. Be patient.

Bob Morein
(310) 237-6511

I had to look this up, having forgotten it, so "you" might need to know:

100 "cents" is the difference between two adjacent keys on the piano
5 cents is about the least pitch difference perceptible (without beating
two against each other).

[Ken]

On Jul 13, 6:01*am, Boston Blackie (happily ignored by KD the
Merciless!) wrote:
On 2008-07-12 13:56:06 -0500, JayN said:

tch perception in one ear to change in an upward
direction? *If so, then exactly how would an infection cause a note
heard through the right ear

I am so new to this that don't think I have a clue.

But I did notice, years ago, that the act of yawning seems to lower
perceived pitch of music by about a semitone. *I don't know why, I
never worried about it, but it sounds as if maybe a semitone separates
your pitch perception between your two ears? *The change might not be
in your right ear, which sounds higher, but actually the distinction
between it and your left ear which might be detuned South.

Just a guess.

The swallowing/clicking business relates to the Eustachian tube (check
it out)which equalises pressure in the inner ear with ambient. It gets
blocked - when you have a cold, for instance - and this yields a
similar feel of occlusion to a blocked earmold vent (and attenuation
of sound volume - possibly greatest for higher frequencies - or that
is the impression for me anyway). Years ago I mentioned to the group
that I (and probably most people if they only knew it) can open this
tube whenever I/they choose - I'm doing it as I type this - just as
easily as opening my eyes or hand. But the swallowing/yawning thing
works - there was at time, before pressurization, when air travelers
were handed candies to suck as the plane took off.

[Boston Blackie (happily ignored by KD the Merciless!)]

On 2008-07-12 16:10:00 -0500, Ken said:

On Jul 13, 6:01*am, Boston Blackie (happily ignored by KD the
Merciless!) wrote:
On 2008-07-12 13:56:06 -0500, JayN said:

tch perception in one ear to change in an upward
direction? *If so, then exactly how would an infection cause a note
heard through the right ear

I am so new to this that don't think I have a clue.

But I did notice, years ago, that the act of yawning seems to lower
perceived pitch of music by about a semitone. *I don't know why, I
never worried about it, but it sounds as if maybe a semitone separates
your pitch perception between your two ears? *The change might not be
in your right ear, which sounds higher, but actually the distinction
between it and your left ear which might be detuned South.

Just a guess.

The swallowing/clicking business relates to the Eustachian tube (check
it out)which equalises pressure in the inner ear with ambient. It gets
blocked - when you have a cold, for instance - and this yields a
similar feel of occlusion to a blocked earmold vent (and attenuation
of sound volume - possibly greatest for higher frequencies - or that
is the impression for me anyway). Years ago I mentioned to the group
that I (and probably most people if they only knew it) can open this
tube whenever I/they choose - I'm doing it as I type this - just as
easily as opening my eyes or hand. But the swallowing/yawning thing
works - there was at time, before pressurization, when air travelers
were handed candies to suck as the plane took off.

I don't know how I learned to do it (I can raise and lower my ears
independently of each other and I don't know how I learned that either)
but I know how to exercise the same muscles involved in swallowing WRT
my ears, without swallowing. It usually clears my ears in elevators
and aeroplanes.
--
After January, can we have a Truth and Reconciliation Commission?

[JayN]

I seem to be getting different results when I listen through speakers
and simply plug up one ear and match the pitch rather than using
headphones and putting one headphone cup against each ear at a time.

The difference, in the case of headphones is that the opposite ear
from the one hearing the pitch is unobstructed and so, in theory I'm
using the opposite ear to hear my voice to a greater extent compared
to the ear that being used to hear the pitch. If I'm listening to a
pitch with the headphone cup held up to my right ear and it is
perceived to be higher by my right ear, and then my left ear is
picking up more of my voice singing the note that it could cause me to
sing the note even sharper than if I were perceiving both the vocal
tone and the keyboard tone with the right ear alone.

Anyway, whatever is happening, something is off kilter with my right
ear, and if it doesn't clear itself up then I guess I'll have it
checked out at some point.

Jay

[Paul Stamler]

"yrret" wrote in message
news:tk8ek.73114$Jx.31447@pd7urf1no...


Many years ago I took up drumming for the first few months I didn't use
any
plugs and it left me with a ringing ear for about 8 months. The colour of
the sounds I heard would change in a pulsing manner as if I were plugging
and unplugging my ears. It faded away slowly. For me it was pretty
obvious
what caused it, but still a good idea to see a doctor because a tumour
might
also cause or exasperate it.

Less alarmingly, so might a virus, but you should get checked out in any
case.

Peace,
Paul

[Mr. Terrier]

Pardon the top post. I suffer a similar (though worse) problem to yours.

This:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musicop..._and_the_Brain

is a great read and details others' similar problems and other, more bizarre
ones. Highly recommended.

In short, you're not alone.

Steve = : ^ )


JayN:

Before I discuss the strange problem, here is some relevant info:
I've had a cold for the past week or so. I think there was mucous
buildup involving the ears because the "clicking noise" that I usually
hear in my ears when swallowing went away temperarily. I also noticed
some "pulsed" ringing in my ear that seemed to coincide with my
hearbeat pulse. (as if there was extra pressure in that ear). That
isn't currenly happening now, and I can now hear the clicking noise
when I swallow, although I think there is some residual congestion in
my ears because when I sneeze it sounds like mucous is rattling around
internally especially in the right ear.

The reason for this post is that there is a very strange problem with
my hearing that I suddenly noticed last night, and never noticed
anything like this before. This is not a joke. At first I thought
something was wrong with my computer because some music I was
listening to, especially a guitar solo, sounded sour, as if the guitar
was doubled but the doubled pitch was off.

Bottom line is that when I hear a pitch through my right ear, I am
perceiving the pitch higher by 25 (or more) cents higher than when the
same pitch is heard through my left ear. To confirm this, I connected
a pair of headphones to the computer. I then play a pitch on the
keyboard while holding one cup of the headphones to the left ear. I
then sing a note (to attempt to match the note I am hearing) into a
software-based guitar tuner that tells me the exact pitch I am singing
and whether it is sharp or flat. Then, I switch ears, (hold the same
cup of the headphones to the right ear). When I hear the same pitch
it now is percieved as sharper, and when I sing (to match the note)
into the tuner it confirms that I am singing 25 cents or greater
higher.

My right ear, even before the code, perceived less high frequencies
than my left, but I've had trouble with excessive ear wax developing
in that ear. As an experiment I tried plugging up the left ear, so
that the left ear perceives even less highs than the right, and yet I
am still perceiving the note heard from the right ear as higher in
pitch than the one heard from the left ear.

I've tried comparing different pitches in different octave ranges and
the results seem the same. The left ear seems to be the more accurate
one.

I am wondering what could be causing this to happen? Could an
infection cause the pitch perception in one ear to change in an upward
direction? If so, then exactly how would an infection cause a note
heard through the right ear to be perceived as higher in pitch than
the same pitch heard through the left ear.

Could fatigue, from having a cold, and also from getting less sleep
than usual cause something like this to happen?

Could this be something neurological happening that needs to be
checked out?

Has anyone ever read about or encountered any condition like I just
described, or is this a wild anomaly?

Thanks,

Jay

--
Steve = : ^ )

[Tobiah]

Bottom line is that when I hear a pitch through my right ear, I am
perceiving the pitch higher by 25 (or more) cents higher than when the
same pitch is heard through my left ear.

Isn't that annoying as hell? I've had this happen to me exactly
as you describe several times over the years, always in conjunction
with an ear infection. I'm not exactly sure what the reason is, but
you might take comfort in the fact that it never affected me longer
than a few days.


** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

[JayN]

Isn't that annoying as hell? *I've had this happen to me exactly
as you describe several times over the years, always in conjunction
with an ear infection. *I'm not exactly sure what the reason is, but
you might take comfort in the fact that it never affected me longer
than a few days.


Thanks for the reply. Yes, it is very annoying. Takes getting used
to. Some instruments sound worse than others. Piano and lead guitar
tend to sound really bad when heard through both ears. Hope it
doesn't affect me too much longer.

[mookie]

Jay,

I wouldn't jump to the neurological conclusion. I agree with others
in that it sounds like there might have been some Eustachian Tube
issues directly related to you cold and congestion. This will throw
off the pressure in your middle ear space and can mess with your
hearing quite a bit, especially if fluid builds behind the eardrum.

Good place to start would be with an ENT, or rather an Otologist if
you can find one. You should probably have a hearing test as well,
considering the symptoms you describe as well as your history of noise
exposure (with all the music stuff). If nothing else you can get a
baseline now for your hearing, and also find out if there is anything
medically wrong with your ears.

Hope this helps--

[WillStG]

On Jul 14, 9:58*pm, JayN wrote:
Isn't that annoying as hell? *I've had this happen to me exactly
as you describe several times over the years, always in conjunction
with an ear infection. *I'm not exactly sure what the reason is, but
you might take comfort in the fact that it never affected me longer
than a few days.

Thanks for the reply. *Yes, it is very annoying. *Takes getting used
to. *Some instruments sound worse than others. *Piano and lead guitar
tend to sound really bad when heard through both ears. * Hope it
doesn't affect me too much longer.

Maybe try listening in a different environment? Your post
reminded me of a situation where a very accomplished engineer kept
panning a sound between the left and right studio monitors, and 5
other experienced engineers called in from all over the building also
all heard a clear difference in pitch for that sound, right vs. left.
Weird thing, for that particular sample in that particular room.

Will Miho
NY TV/Audio Post/Music/Live Sound Guy
"The large print giveth and the small print taketh away..." Tom Waits

[Dr. Michael W. Ridenhour]

I have had this condition (dyplacusis) for 36 years, at least. As an
audiologist, I have to make biological calibrations of the test
equipment every time I turn it on. This involves putting on the headset
and listening to the various tones at a normal level. I noticed early on
in my career that the 1KHz and also the 2KHz tone sounded different in
pitch between the right and the left ears. I switched the headset
around, but there was no change. I checked it out with ENT and
Neurology, but was never given a satisfactory explanation. I also see
different hues of beige in the left and the right eyes. Whatever it is,
isn't fatal, apparently, as I am still alive and healthy after noting
the condition many years ago. Sudden onset of dyplacusis is a different
matter, however, and could indicate some sort of progressive condition.
Get it checked out!

Michael

WillStG wrote:
On Jul 14, 9:58 pm, JayN wrote:
Isn't that annoying as hell? I've had this happen to me exactly
as you describe several times over the years, always in conjunction
with an ear infection. I'm not exactly sure what the reason is, but
you might take comfort in the fact that it never affected me longer
than a few days.
Thanks for the reply. Yes, it is very annoying. Takes getting used
to. Some instruments sound worse than others. Piano and lead guitar
tend to sound really bad when heard through both ears. Hope it
doesn't affect me too much longer.

Maybe try listening in a different environment? Your post
reminded me of a situation where a very accomplished engineer kept
panning a sound between the left and right studio monitors, and 5
other experienced engineers called in from all over the building also
all heard a clear difference in pitch for that sound, right vs. left.
Weird thing, for that particular sample in that particular room.

Will Miho
NY TV/Audio Post/Music/Live Sound Guy
"The large print giveth and the small print taketh away..." Tom Waits

[unclehulot]

On Jul 16, 11:50 pm, mookie wrote:
Jay,

I wouldn't jump to the neurological conclusion. I agree with others
in that it sounds like there might have been some Eustachian Tube
issues directly related to you cold and congestion. This will throw
off the pressure in your middle ear space and can mess with your
hearing quite a bit, especially if fluid builds behind the eardrum.

Good place to start would be with an ENT, or rather an Otologist if
you can find one. You should probably have a hearing test as well,
considering the symptoms you describe as well as your history of noise
exposure (with all the music stuff). If nothing else you can get a
baseline now for your hearing, and also find out if there is anything
medically wrong with your ears.

Hope this helps--

I have had this same thing happen twice in the past 15 years or so,
and both times related to a bad cold/probable ear infection. Being a
musician, it was pretty difficult to deal with, to say the least! In
my case it took several weeks for all of the effects to disappear
completely (they did diminish very gradually), but they did with no
long term effects, except perhaps a bit more ringing in the ears in
general. Medically I have no idea what causes this, but the ENT I was
seeing said that it doesn't take much in the way of inflammation of
these small parts of the ear to change things in such a way. Just
have patience!