Left ear plugs when playing...

[Le Tret]

This has been happening for about a year..
It starts with my ear feeling fine, no plugging, all normal..

But once I've played for about 15 minutes or so usually, my left ear starts plugging up! and only the left, never the right. I can plug my nose and blow it free, but it keeps coming back.

It isn't the type of plug you can give yourself by plugging your nose and sucking in either, it's the kind that you have to push past a little more to unplug it.. It feels a little deeper in my ear as well.

Of course I've taken countless Q-tips in and it seems as clean as it'll get, but the problem remains!!

It must have to do with air-pressure because it does get worse when I play more upper register stuff, but even so, some pressure will always be there.

It is getting VERY irritating, as it distracts me and I look weird constantly trying to nonchalantly unplug it!

Any advice?
Should I maybe see an ENT doctor and have him see if there's any deep wax build-up or something??

Thanks for any help =)

[loudog]

When in doubt, see a doctor...although if there's no pain it's probably nothing to worry about.

I have sinus problems in general, and recently moved to a completely different part of the country. My allergies have been exacerbated, and my left ear has actually been pluggin up a little bit sometimes when I play too. It doesn't affect my playing though.

You might try a neti pot on a daily basis, that cuts down on that kind of stuff, and works wonders. It really helps me...I swear by it.

Keep us posted!

Louie
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Dr. Louie Eckhardt, trumpeter
http://www.LouieEckhardt.com
Associate Professor of Music
Hastings College

[ConnArtist]

Did you have lots of ear infections as a kid, or ever have to get tubes in your eardrums? I have similar issue with my right ear because of above-mentioned issues. Really gives me grief with sudden pressure changes like mountain roads, flying, storm pressure fronts, etc. Only solution I know of is to just grin and bear it...
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"Stomvi" PhrankenPhlugel w/ Blessing copper bell
1958 Conn 18A cornet
1962 Conn 9A cornet (yes, the Unicorn )
Reynolds Onyx cornet
c. 1955? Besson 10-10 trumpet
1939 Martin Imperial Handcraft “Model 37”
1986 Bach Strad 37 ML

[elizabeth.evens]

The ear wax sometimes causes the ears to plug temporarily, you can visit to ENT and get it checked for ear wax removal.

[EBjazz]

Might try some decongestant before playing.

Eb
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Eric Bolvin
http://bolvinmusic.com/product/the-modern-jazz-trumpet-method/
www.bolvinmusic.com