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Do you ever do this before you listen?

Hello everyone. I was at an audio store today with a friend that was auditioning a pair of speakers and the salesman told us to clear our ears by pinching the nose then blowing through your nose to make the ears pop (clearing them). I have to admit the music sounded  so much better lol. It makes perfect sense why you would want to do this, but I had just never thought of it. So I thought I would see who else is doing this, and maybe discover some other new tricks. SO what strange things do you do routinely before a listing session? (I know thats a loaded question to ask of this group)
barnettk
barnettk OP
295 posts
 
"What I do before I listen: turn on amp to warm up. Pour a beverage. Why would I want to mess with my ears just before I want them to be nice and relaxed? The lengths some dealers will go to get an edge on the rubes."

uhh because it works. especially for that short time that you will be demoing a speaker. I can totally understand why a dealer would do it especially. I thought it was a smart move personally. 
rterry
1 posts
 
Have done this for over 30 years. Often exercising the muscles behind the ears while inhaling/exhaling, as in learning how to just flex them, gives the same result. No need to overdo it.  It’s a personal choice but the reality is you are not hearing what you wish to be hearing until the “equalized” state is reached. People spend 1000’s if dollars and never come close to what the benefit in sound comes from hearing “completely”.
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
Use a Neti Pot. Clean your sinuses..
ianrodger
60 posts
 
chewing gum or just swallowing gives the same effects.............most of the time. Any medical professional will caution against manually popping your ears - how hard do you have to "blow" to achieve it?
barnettk OP
295 posts
 
@ianrodger 

Not hard. At least for me anyway. I barely blow. Pinch your nose and lightly try to blow through your nose. It’s not that big a deal. Same as equalizing the pressure when flying. Chewing gum does help I would imagine. Drinking something also will often do the trick. I’m not suggesting that you blow your brains out just lightly. Actually I am able to do it without even pinching my nose. You can open your mouth, tilt your head back and breath out through your mouth and achieve the same result. 
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