mightaswell
Member
Last night I tried a few things. I did this on a short stretch of freeway that consistently causes ear pressure and pain.
First, I tried wearing a pair of heavy ear muff/protection (I wear them at indoor shooting ranges). The are over-the-ear, seal reasonably well. It did provide some relief, not much. They also have a mode that will electronically let through low volume sounds, and interestingly I could hear some occasional booming/buffeting, like a bass speaker, which I can not hear at all without them. As I I have said, in normal driving I do not hear any offensive noises, whatever is causing this pressure/pain is not audible to me.
Then I tried some over-the-ear active noise canceling headphones. It was similar to the muffs, provided some relief, maybe a little more, but still allowed pressure/pain. But the bass/buffering sound was much clearer. It was like some kind of interference with the noise cancelling.
Then I tried soft foam ear plugs. Squished them up and jammed them in. I keep these as a back up when I go to the shooting range. Normally I find them very uncomfortable to wear. But they definitely provided the most relief. Not a total cure, but real relief.
I think next I need to try driving with the hatch open. If the hatch is causing this, that should be the clearest evidence, right?
And yes I think I will just remove all the DIY stuff, and make a service appointment. I have nothing to lose at this point.
First, I tried wearing a pair of heavy ear muff/protection (I wear them at indoor shooting ranges). The are over-the-ear, seal reasonably well. It did provide some relief, not much. They also have a mode that will electronically let through low volume sounds, and interestingly I could hear some occasional booming/buffeting, like a bass speaker, which I can not hear at all without them. As I I have said, in normal driving I do not hear any offensive noises, whatever is causing this pressure/pain is not audible to me.
Then I tried some over-the-ear active noise canceling headphones. It was similar to the muffs, provided some relief, maybe a little more, but still allowed pressure/pain. But the bass/buffering sound was much clearer. It was like some kind of interference with the noise cancelling.
Then I tried soft foam ear plugs. Squished them up and jammed them in. I keep these as a back up when I go to the shooting range. Normally I find them very uncomfortable to wear. But they definitely provided the most relief. Not a total cure, but real relief.
I think next I need to try driving with the hatch open. If the hatch is causing this, that should be the clearest evidence, right?
And yes I think I will just remove all the DIY stuff, and make a service appointment. I have nothing to lose at this point.