Good day!

First of all I know this question is really generic and that it may not be totally answerable with the few facts that I have written down here, But I hope with your help I can narrow down my answers and reach to the point.

I had some ear problems recently which took me months to recover at still being affected.
This happened since I started boosting some HF with the monitor acoustic settings knobs.

I have installed some DIY Bass Traps last week and my monitors are set as 0 db with the Freq shelf knobs, Haven't yet put anything specifically for Highs on the sidewalls etc, since one wall is window and another is the closet.

Straight to the story:
Today I started cutting some of the highs with the knobs and felt my ears cramping again.
Returning to normal state at 0 db makes it better but still my ears get pretty much tired mixing. must do it with low volume and still not feeling comfortable specially of I turn the volume louder (not Loud! just louder some more)

There are some questions rising in my mind:
1. Could it be my monitors having problems?
2. Could it be that my monitors and my ears don't really belong to eachother?
3. Could it be all about acoustics of the room?

 

Could it be that you are just mixing too loud?

Been there, done that (when I was younger).

 

Hi Baxter,

No that's really not it. I can't even blame myself because it's like a slight turn of my Audio Interface's volume knob.
Nobody can really hear anything outside of the room and inside unless they come near close and sit on the chair to clearly listen what's being played. It's that loud. I also have got a Digital SPL Meter and it shows around 52-55 db of Sound Pressure in the mixing spot

 

52-55dBSPL is not much.

I've had hearing stress (having been a touring drummer with 5-7 shows a week) and it's no fun at all. One mishap (accidental feedback, etc) could cause harm/pain that will be noticable for weeks, perhaps longer.
Perhaps you've gotten sound sensitive, where sounds actually causes pain and discomfort...and you just want wear earplugs all day.

I would seriously consider going to the doctor/hearing specialist to see what's up.

The only other thing I can think of is your monitors emitting some really high frequencies in the upper highs that you are unaware of that is killing your hearing.

 

HI Baxter,

Been to doctor and he said probably some infection or something.
Prescribed some tabs and caps waiting to see how it turns out.

Thanks dude you always reply with good knowledge ...

Cheers

 

Good, good! Now, rest those ears. I know it sucks, but if you loose (or damage) your hearing you will not get it back.

When you have recovered you will be back to enjoying music in a new way.