Over the summer of 2025, I did some extra music work and my ears were put in a position where volume was too much. For weeks, and still now, my ears ring. I know people have it worse than me, but this is new. I felt so fortunate that over a couple decades playing music, I had avoided things that were too loud. I’m a guitar player after all. But, I am one that knows how to turn down. Also, this may be strange, I don’t need to buy one more guitar.
So, I had an hearing test. Good news and bad news. I dont have ear damage like I thought. My hearing is actually above average. Except, for a frequency dip. Since the summer, certain sounds and voices just cause pain when I hear them at a regular volume or louder.
I’m going to give my ears a break. I’m going to hold off booking shows unless some of the wonderful venues I’ve worked with ask me. I’ll do private gigs which tend to have a much lower volume. Hopefull after some time, the pain issues change and the constant ringing becomes either something I’m more used to or diminishes some.