Korean Job Discussion Forums

wonkavision · Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Location: Seoul

alright, so over the last couple months i've had this recurring problem with my ears. every so often, sometimes more than once a day, the hearing in just one of my ears will drop out and i can hear a dull ringing sound or sometimes just a muted roar.

as you can imagine, it's kind of freaking me out. i have been to more live music shows than anybody i know, and i admittedly listen to my ipod a little too loud. but ive had no problems up till now. in the back of my mind i knew all the concerts would catch up with me at some point but this is happening way too soon (i'm 24). i think the straw that broke the camel's back was teaching here, having to listen to high pitched screams all morning in a small enclosed space, and taking several full blasts from kids right next to my head.

anyways, my question is this: my contract is up at the beginning of March. but i'll be traveling after that, won't be back in the States until June probably. and I don't have health insurance there.

Should I go through the trouble and time-consuming hassle of finding an ear doctor here? I am pretty skeptical of the korean medical system so far after my personal experiences with it. Has anybody had any experience with this, or maybe can recommend an ear specialist in Seoul or nearby (I live in Ilsan). thanks in advance....

adeline · Joined: 19 Nov 2007

I would wait and find a really good hearing clinic. A similar think happened with my father, way too much loud music, he started losing his hearing around the same age and has just gotten worse and worse. Stop exposing yourself to loud sounds. Im guessing that there are specialty hearing clinics in Korea too, but if you were just planning to go see a gp, i wouldn't really bother.

Funky Chunk · Joined: 29 Sep 2007 Location: Haebangchon, Seoul

I know it sounds like such a simple, stupid response, but get your ears cleaned. Sometimes cleaning them yourself with a Q-tip will push the wax further into your ear. When it gets deep you can get some pretty weird sounding effects. The only time I've ever had this problem was here in Korea. My hearing was coming in and out, and it sometimes sounded a little tinny and I guess, mono. I thought I was having a major problem, but after the cleaning, I had no more issues with my ears.

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

Yeah, get it checked now!!

cbclark4 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Location: Masan

WHAT!?

cbclark4 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Location: Masan

http://www.miracle-ear.com/request_info.asp

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

It could be a number of things -- none of which you want to fool around with. It could be gradual hearing loss, yes, but it could also be an infection or another problem which could be cured, or could cause long-term damage if left untreated. It could also be simple ear wax.

Until you see a doctor about it, you won't know.

See a doctor and try to get referred to a specialist (or just get the number of a specialist outright).