In the next two weeks, there will be a new addition to our household -- a baby. (Not mine.) And since it's not mine, I would prefer not to hear it. There are lots of AskMes about earplugs, but many (like the ETY ones) use as a selling point that they don't muffle speech. I want to muffle everything. Best ear protection for the job, <$30?
posted by fiercecupcake on Jun 14, 2013 - 16 answers

I'm looking to find out whether any brand of in-ear headphones also carry a noise reduction rating (NRR). I'm not so much shopping for headphones as for earplugs with a headphone feature. [more inside]
posted by tirade on Apr 10, 2013 - 9 answers

I think I might have ruptured my eardrum. Did I? Is this an urgent care situation? [more inside]
posted by katyggls on Dec 20, 2012 - 16 answers

Why do I experience ear pain a few hours after bathing? [more inside]
posted by GlassHeart on May 6, 2012 - 14 answers

A few years ago I heard a popular scientist on the radio discussing the effects of listening to music via earbud headphones. He said that if someone can hear the music I'm listening to, I am doing permanent damage to my ears. Is this true? I would appreciate reference to any peer-reviewed scientific research on this topic, if available.
posted by paleyellowwithorange on Jan 3, 2012 - 10 answers

Can an ENT-administered ear wax removal cause tinnitus? [more inside]
posted by philosophistry on Dec 6, 2010 - 14 answers

Why does exercise make me hear funny? I don't even swim, but it sounds like I have water in my ear. [more inside]
posted by ymendel on Apr 6, 2010 - 22 answers

Wacky ear question: Sometimes when I speak out loud one or both of my ears will pOp and I can't hear anything but my own voice. What the heck is going on and how can I get it to stop? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 31, 2009 - 7 answers

EarPressureFilter: I had an argument with someone a couple hours ago, and they yelled in my left ear for a few seconds. My ear isn't ringing. but it feels pressurized, like I'm underwater, on and off. I've taken a full dose of magnesium-based antacid...anything else I can do? Will a doctor be able to help, or do I just need to move somewhere with a vow of silence for a month?
posted by StrikeTheViol on Jun 15, 2008 - 8 answers

We went swimming two days ago. My boyfriend still has water in his ear, and the Swim-EAR (95% isopropyl alcohol, 5% glycerin) we got at the drug store hasn't helped. Is this normal? And what can he do to make his ear feel better? [more inside]
posted by bookish on Jul 31, 2006 - 28 answers