About Harriet Jacobster, Au.D. Expertise I can answer questions regarding non-medical treatment of hearing loss such as hearing aids and aural rehabilitation. I am also able to answer your questions regarding hearing testing, what types of tests are appropriate, what information a hearing test gives you and what it doesn't give you. As a classically trained musician, I can also answer issues dealing with hearing loss specific to musicians.
Experience I am a Board Certified Doctor of Audiology with over 25 years' of experience working with both children and adults. I have given lectures on Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids to several state chapters of national organizations for the deaf and hard of hearing. I also taught Speech Reading and Aural Rehabilitation both privately and for the Florida Deaf Service Center.
Organizations American Academy of Audiology
American Speech Language Hearing Association
Education/Credentials Au.D. Doctor of Audiology, Nova Southeastern University 2000
Question Is it possible to be a singer having Tinnitus? I get ringing, crackling, and pops in my ears. How come when I sing it seems i'm tone deaf? Can you or is there a way to still feel the music? And how come the more I hear sounds, the more my ears hurt and seems i'm going deaf? What should I do? Find a new career even though music is really all i've ever loved doing?
Answer Hi Brian,
Yes, it is most common for musicians to suffer from hearing loss and tinnitus. What you are describing sounds very much like Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD). The Eustachian tube connects from your nose to the middle ear and helps to maintain normal pressure in your ears. ETD is mostly caused by allergies and sinus infections. Thus, you probably would benefit by seeing an Ear specialist who can rule out another problem and can treat the underlying cause of your crackling and popping. In the meantime, you can try some over-the-counter saline nose spray and see if that helps.
Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology
