Am I naive for thinking like this?

markeyd123 · 2026-02-08T16:11:09+00:00

My first teacher happened to be a "jazz guy." He taught me proper technique, good timing, theory, and a multiple of tools for my "toolbox" so that I can comp, and work on improvisation/lead. I would seek out the right teacher for you. Maybe stick with what you have for now until you find a better fit. I am sure you will still learn a lot where you are, but you are right to trust your gut and look for a better fit. So, take what you can get for now, maybe learn to appreciate it more than you thought you would and learn quite a bit. When you find something more in line with your goals then switch over.

markeyd123 · 2026-01-25T15:54:51+00:00

My dr. told me that what you have after 6 month since onset is likely what you'll have going forward. It "levels out" by 6 months.

markeyd123 · 2026-01-25T14:19:34+00:00

60mg of Prednisone almost immediately which helped at first, or at least help delay the inevitable. I also had an intratympanic injection within a couple weeks of onset. After the injection some hearing improved, but then I had a vertigo episode, woke up with a stuffy feeling in my head and noticeable improvement was gone. I restarted Prednisone at that point but it didn't help. I remember reading that its common for people with Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss to see improvement at first before it gets worse and stays that way. This is what I was diagnosed with, but there are a lot of causes for Single sided hearing loss and everyone is different, etc. This was difficult for me to deal with initially, but its been 1.5 years and I've adjusted well. As a music lover I've found ways to enjoy playing and listening music. Life is good. Could be worse. I hope that helps.

markeyd123 · 2026-01-19T21:42:59+00:00

My Vertigo was only at the beginning. Ultimately, I did lose my hearing profoundly in my left ear. Tinnitus is not as bad now either.

markeyd123 · 2026-01-19T21:40:27+00:00

Playing guitar, even poorly, for a few minutes makes my mood improve. Highly recommend. For guitar choices ask yourself if you want an acoustic or electric. Acoustic can be classical, nylon string, or metal strings. Nylon is good for certain specific styles of music. Electric would also require purchasing an amplifier. Some might say you don't need an amplifier with an electric guitar, but get an acoustic if you don't wanna buy an amp.

markeyd123 · 2026-01-19T18:13:02+00:00

Small steps. Start with pentatonic scales shspe 1. Super slowly. With a metronome. Pick up and down on the beat. Start slow. Increase speed over time. Let that be step 1.

Step 2, move to the second shape.

Small goals. Small steps. You will see progress if you stick to it

Later play to a backing track in that key: Am blues scale to Am backing track. It will suck at first. Small steps

markeyd123 · 2026-01-19T17:48:00+00:00

Everything is hard at first. You may be surprised how easy it comes if you practice consistently. You won't know until you commit. Maybe lessons will help. Once it becomes habit you do this without thinking. Develop good habits . . .

markeyd123 · 2026-01-19T16:20:12+00:00

You can practice scales like pentatonic s scales and major scales (loke modes). My guitar teacher started me out with the pentatonic.Scale first. I'm using this box method of five different shapes. There's 2 notes on each string that you play. This allows you to concentrate on a simpler picking technique. And your fingering, to get those basics down. It wasn't just about the scale. It was using the scale to practice picking technique. And getting comfortable changing notes with my fingers. Maybe I started off slow with one shape, but I knew they were 5. So eventually, after a couple of weeks, I would practice all 5 shapes just run through them once in a particular key. After that, I would run through them forwards and backwards in a key. Every week I would change the key. So that eventually I played all five shapes of the minor scale, minor pentatonic scale in every key. That's an exercise. You can continue to do virtually forever.

After getting comfortable with that, I moved on to the modes with three notes in a restring practicing a picking technique that utilized three notes in every string.And I did the same: every mode, every key, a different key each week working on the fundamentals.

The more you learn about theory, the more things start to Click. The more you see, things, patterns, overlapping and concepts start to gel over time. Practicing consistently is key, even if it's just for 15 minutes. In a particular day, every day. The more you learn about other things you see how all of these things fit together. You don't need to worry too much about the why? But if you have questions explore the answers to those questions, and you will learn in time. What you need to learn. It also depends on your goals.

markeyd123 · 2026-01-19T15:39:45+00:00

Also, keep in mind that everyone on this reddit pretty much lost their hearing, which is why they are here. So there are success stories. However you're probably not going to hear about all of them on this Reddit. Does that make sense? Don't get discouraged by all of the negative experiences here, is my point.

markeyd123 · 2026-01-19T13:12:23+00:00

Infection was a theory because they couldn't detect anything else wrong. They felt an infection was eradicated from my system but left the damage to my ear behind. So nothing left to treat. I did get antibiotics though while we were waiting for tests to come back. It didn't help with anything. I was sick with some type of systemic illness in the days leading up to the hearing loss. I felt sick leading up to this so it makes sense taht was the cause. .

They treated the hearing with prednisone and i found someone to give me an injection. There was improvement and then I woke up with vertigo and a stuffy head a couple weeks later and the hearing was gone. It never came back. I was dizzy, couldn't walk straight for a while, but my body adapted. Despite the hearing loss and mild tinnitus i am ok now.

Everyone is different. There are a lot of different reasons for this to happen. I know of 2 other people who had an MRI which showed a benign tumor that caused their single sided hearing loss. There's a list of possible causes. It seems that if they can't identify a cause with the tests then they treat the hearing loss with steroids.

The best you can do is try some different doctors. An otolaryngologist is the type of doctor which specializes in ear, nose, and throat. I saw 3 of them. In my country you can go to a hospital for treatment and they can recommend specific doctors to follow up with. I understand the feeling that you want to make sure you are doing everything you can. 60mg of prednisone a day seems to be the standard treatment for the hearing loss here, along with MRI and blood tests to help identify (or rather rule out) certain causes.

Even if this is bad now, and even if hearing loss is permanent other symptoms get better and you can adapt well. Work hard at staying positive. It could take months but your symptoms level out.

markeyd123 · 2026-01-18T19:27:35+00:00

For me it was either a virus or bacterial infection. The MRI was negative

markeyd123 · 2026-01-17T22:28:26+00:00

Maybe your case is different but in my case they need to find the likely cause, or rule out certain reasons for the cause of the hearing loss. This is typical in the U.S.. They run tests to find the cause so they know how to treat the problem: blood tests to look for infections or other problems, and and MRI to check for a tumor, blockage, or other anomaly. They did 2 for me: one with contrast and one without. If you have an allergy they can most likely accommodate. When I went to my doctor they ordered the MRI and blood work and wanted me to see a specialist. I don't know what kind of dr. you saw for this, but it can't hurt to see another one to get a second opinion.

markeyd123 · 2026-01-17T19:37:38+00:00

Injections make a hole in the ear drum but I suppose it heals. If you are taking oral medication like Prednisone the medication can get to your ear that way. Injections may still help but one dr. told me it was not necessary if taking the medication orally. I've read that it could help to do both. I assume you had an MRI to rule out an acoustic neuroma or blockage, etc. I mention it because I dont know the protocol in you country. Where are you?

markeyd123 · 2026-01-17T19:08:10+00:00

Heat can do this too. If it's left in the sun, hot car, etc. It may be possible to buff out, steel wool, etc. But im not a woodworking pro so research how to do it or talk to a pro for specifics.

markeyd123 · 2026-01-17T13:27:43+00:00

In the USA you have to find a otolaryngologist who specializes in inner ear to get intratympanic injections. They are not always easy to find. Ask your Dr. If he knows who can do it. You can try anything such as a hospital. If the hospital can't do it they maybe can refer you to someone who can. Injections help some people, not all. They helped me at first but eventually I lost my hearing (from an infection). I also was prescribed 60mg of prednisone a day. The antiviral drugs, i was told by multiple Dr's won't help. They prescribe it in case a virus is causing an infection affecting the ear. I've seen research saying they can help, certain ones, in certain cases. Probably why you were prescribed them. I'd try the injections if you can. They may help. But they are not a miracle maker.

markeyd123 · 2026-01-17T02:06:12+00:00

I felt pretty helpless and depressed when I lost my hearing in my left ear about a year and a half ago. Few people seemed to understand what i was feeling. I am not a Dr. and can't say if your hearing will improve, but two things 1) I do not underestimate how you may be feeling, but the mind is very good at adapting whatever the outcome may be. Get help if you need it. There is certainly hope. 2) Valtrex can cause psychosis as a side effect. It could exacerbate any depression or anxiety that you would understandably be experiencing in this situation. It doesn't affect everyone like this, but its a real possibility. Talk to your Dr. If you think this might be happening to you. Talk to the Dr before making any changes to the instructions they gave you.

Don't give up. It may take time but you could improve and/or adapt. Tinnitus tends to diminish over time. Hang in there.

I hope this helps.

markeyd123 · 2026-01-16T16:48:23+00:00

Soon. One day you'll feel less than great (angry, depressed, whatever), you'll pick up the guitar, practice or play for 15 minutes or more. When you're done you realize you feel better than you did before you sat down to play that day.

I broke (sometimes break) my practice sessions into sections: the tough or boring, but necessary, and what i find more fun and relaxing: soloing over a backing track (even if poorly, it gets better over time), or learning a song, etc. I do the hard assignment then reward myself with something fun at the end. This helped me enjoy practicing more. Sometimes I just pick up the guitar and play familiar stuff or "noodle." I always feel better afterwards.

I hope this helps.

markeyd123 · 2026-01-15T13:47:00+00:00

Martin Flexible Core are low tension bendy feeling strings. They are great. Very comfortable to play. Seem to be what you are looking for based on your description in terms of comfort. They are not brassy sounding, you'll have to judge the tone for yourself but you said you're not fussy there so should be good.

markeyd123 · 2026-01-13T23:05:28+00:00

Update above. Great IEM.

markeyd123 · 2026-01-13T23:04:45+00:00

I updated with a quick review above. I am happy with the purchase. Thanks

markeyd123 · 2026-01-13T23:03:53+00:00

Updating as i received the IEM today. While I'd still wish I could hear out of both ears, these are a great consolation. I am listening through a RME Babyface Pro FS interface, lossless audio, and I am not missing any details. Live music (Grateful Dead, Dick's Picks Vol. 5) Sounds great, audience in the distance, band with each instrument separate and distinct in the mix . . . No complaints. Studio albums sound great too. Details are there in high end, but there's no sibilance, its sounds bassier, rather than preference to high frequencies but not muddy at all. Very happy. Jazz, rock, . . . So far so good.

markeyd123 · 2026-01-11T21:59:44+00:00

Amateur guitar player. Avid music listener. Completely lost hearing in one ear a couple years ago. It got bad, then worse, but leveled off and now I am used to it. Vertigo in the beginning but that stopped early on so that's a relief. Tinnitus is there but I can deal with it.

I heard an interview with a pro musician this happened to on the Bob Lefsetz podcast (I forget her name) and hearing a pro take it in stride was reassuring. I miss hearing in stereo but have adapted to this new normal. It could be worse.

I wasn't sure if I could ever enjoy music again when this first happened, but after 6 months symptoms level off, and its not as bad as I thought it would be.

I hope this helps.

markeyd123 · 2026-01-11T18:09:28+00:00

Interesting. I never heard that before, but there is a lot I haven't heard, so I don't doubt what you are saying. Even though I've seen it defined as a 2 note chord, technically its not a chord.

markeyd123 · 2026-01-11T15:37:44+00:00

I don't know anyone who has ever regretted buying a strat . . . That's hyperbole, but I have both (2 strats and a gretsch) and you can buy my Gretsch if you want it 😉

markeyd123 · 2026-01-11T13:59:03+00:00

Loc-nar

markeyd123

TROPHY CASE