The most missed obvious tweak of all

The last time I had my ear canals cleaned, the only thing that came out was flakes of pure gold.

i recently had my ears cleaned and out came several magic pebbles. I strategically placed them in my listening room and guess what: the highs were extended, the mids more emotional, involving, and organic, and the bass was tighther with noticeably more slam.

Mitchb, it probably depends on your doctor and on your condition. I have been personally cleaning by own ears for the last 50 years. Initially, doctors had recommend removal of my adenoids because my hearing was off. Then a ear doctor looked into my ears, which one might well expect would be a first thing to do. He found a quarter of inch in diameter and better than a 1/2 inch long plug of wax. It could not be flushed out, but had to be softened and carefully removed.

Thereafter for many years I had to yearly go in to have the wax removed. While my condition was severe, he said that many have ear wax accumulation. At some point a doctor told me I should invest in a rubber ear syringe and flush my ears every three or four months. He said to follow the directions carefully as you can damage your ear drums. I have done so since and many visits to a doctor for my physical have always found him satisfied that my ears are clean and have no problem. Usually, I do not need to soften the wax as warm water makes it soft. Sometimes I then put several drops of alcohol in to dry my ears.

I actually notice that I loose high frequencies in my left and most troublesome ear. When I hear this as I did this last week, I know I have been remiss and need to flush my ears. I did so this morning. I notice after getting plugs out what everything has more high frequency content.

If you have a yearly physical and the doctor checks your ears and makes no comments, you probably have no problem or benefit from cleaning out your ears. I have such good fortune.