[John Casler]

TAKE OFF YOUR GLASSES!!!!

Many do not know that the "total" sensory perception of sound is transmitted via more sensory pathways than just the 8th (auditory) nerve.

While I find headphone listening a nice diversion, it it a total "inside your head" experience.

Why?

Because, much sonic information to your body is lost.

Directional cues and sensory perceptions so subtle that you don't know they exist, can and will change the way you hear sound.

The orbital area of the eye socket are filled with "very sensitive" nerve receptors that relay pressure information and sonic perception to the brain.  Glasses in front of these nerves block the transmission of these impressions.

I only wear glasses to read, so I am used to putting them on and taking them off.  I notice quite a large difference in the sound.  More than any cable or tweak.

If you use rather small glasses, the difference may be less, but if you are a good listener, you should hear a difference quite easily.

So if you really want to "see" into the music, ditch the glasses when critically listening, close your eyes (and make sure and "relax" the eyes) and see if this gives you a more real experience.

Next weeks tweak will be about equalizing "eustachian tube" pressure and how it affects critical listening

[doug s.]

john, you stole this tweek from sam gillet!   he wrote about it in s'phile years ago under his pseudonym (sam tellig)  

doug s.

[Tyson]

Slightly more expensive tweak - drink 2 glasses of scotch and listen for 2 hours straight.  Wow, the system never sounded so good!

[TheChairGuy]

Next weeks tweak will be about equalizing "eustachian tube" pressure and how it affects critical listening

Hey John, you're spot on on this one, my man.

I began seeing an Osteopath a few months ago.  Nothing serious, just get my parts in a line....more of a touch-up to better health than a remedy for poor health.

Well, I don't know if you, or others out there have been to an Osteopath, but it involves very gentle manipulations of the spine & bones...including bones in your head, face, nose, ears, etc.  In case this sounds like 'California-hooey' folks, please note that Osteopaths are licensed MD's in the US and have all the training of any other MD until they choose Osteopathy as their specialty. What they do sounds like Chiropractic, but it is indeed different.

Anyhow, somehow within the process of correcting the flow of my cerebrofluid and losening up clenched jawbones, etc. and the like came an unexpected benefit; better hearing.  MUCH better, more acute hearing.

I am hearing low level sounds that I never noticed before...far better than my wife (and that was never the case previously).  There is a downside to this all tho....I'm doing the night feedings for the baby now as I can't (no matter how I try) sleep thru it and allow my wife to do it anymore  

Hey, here's another established tweek for you guys.....get your cholesterol down.  It has been conclusively shown that high cholesterol levels correspond to greater degrees of hearing loss.  Turns out the best tweek my not be to your room, amp, speakers or wire...it's taking greater care of yourself.  Tyson, moderate alchohol consumption (moderate, did ya' hear that?   ) is helpful to cholesterol levels....alas, generally red wine is most helpful due to it's flavanol content.

Goodbye pork ribs, hello broccoli....and you  might hear that triangle in Mahler's 5th just left of the tympani  

[doug s.]

my fave "personal" tweek:

http://www.teeterhangups.com/home.html

doug s.

[Tyson]

I drink moderately every single day!

[John Casler]

OK, OK, I was going to save this one, but I guess, I should throw it at you too.

Massage your "Pinna" before listening          

No it won't make you go deaf

It will stimulate a greater flow of blood to the pinna (external ear) making it "slightly stiffer".  And as we all know a "stiffer pinna" makes it a better collector of sonic energy

[woodsyi]

A sonic viagra!

[TheChairGuy]

Massage your "Pinna" before listening.  No it won't make you go deaf.  

I think they teach folks in Catholic school, however, that you will go blind doing this  

[csero]

TAKE OFF YOUR GLASSES!!!!
While I find headphone listening a nice diversion, it it a total "inside your head" experience.

Why?

Because, much sonic information to your body is lost...

No, headphone listening is in the head because of the bypassed directional pinna and HRFT functions. Headphone "soundstage" will not externalize even if you put a shaker in your chair - or in your glasses.

[John Casler]

TAKE OFF YOUR GLASSES!!!!
While I find headphone listening a nice diversion, it it a total "inside your head" experience.

Why?

Because, much sonic information to your body is lost...

No, headphone listening is in the head because of the bypassed directional pinna and HRFT functions. Headphone "soundstage" will not externalize even if you put a shaker in your chair - or in your glasses.

Hi Frank,

HRTF, (isn't it HRTF?) Pinna related directional processing cues, and "other" bodily sensations is what I meant, (too lazy to write) but the point remains the music will sound better with glasses off.

There are also other "subtle sensory cues" other than wavelengths channeled via the auditory canal, that can enhance/effect the listening experience.

At higher SPLs we even have intra-abdominal and intrathoracic sensations, as well as a few others.

[JoshK]

another cheap tweak..... a Q-tip!

[ohenry]

Checklist for weekend:
1) Power up
2) Take off glasses
3) Drink heavily
4) Get wood

It's good to have a plan.

[John Casler]

another cheap tweak..... a Q-tip!

Darn Josh, that was next weeks tweak

Although I was always told to never stick anything smaller than my "elbow" in my ear

Since you can't get your elbow "up" to your ear, how is that good advice, unless you are subject to letting  others put their elbows in you ears and then it seems to make sense, in a "twisted" (its Friday) sorta way.

[ToddSTS]

another cheap tweak..... a Q-tip!

I have personally seen some nasty Q-Tip residue, i.e. cotton-earwax amalgem pulled from someones ear when they came into the clinic complaining of a loss of hearing in one ear.  (It also took digging and irrigating to dislodge it.)

I would avoid Q-Tips and use Debrox or another ear wax softener available at your local drug store before using a Q-Tip.

Just FYI.

Todd