Speaking of spiders, here's a great story.

[PeaceNikki]

"Great" being relative, of course. ewww

:scared:

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_050607_news_spider_earache.3faa8ff4.html

Doctor finds spiders in ear of boy with earache

11:14 PM PDT on Saturday, May 5, 2007

Associated Press

ALBANY, Ore. (AP) -- A 9-year-old boy who complained of an earache was a little surprised when the doctor told him that a pair of spiders had tried to make a home out of him.

"They were walking on my eardrums," said Jesse Courtney.

One of the spiders was still alive after the doctor flushed the fourth-grader's left ear canal.

His mother, Diane Courtney, said her son insisted he kept hearing a faint popping in his ear -- "like Rice Krispies" -- before the earache sent them to the doctor.

Dr. David Irvine said it looked like the boy had something in his ear when he examined him, but he could not immediately identify it. So he irrigated the ear, and the first spider came out, dead.

The other spider took a second dousing before it emerged, still alive. Both were about the size of a pencil eraser.

Irvine said it was a first for him as a physician.

"It was the only time I ever pulled out an invertebrate," he said.

Jesse was given the spiders -- now both dead -- as a souvenir. He has taken them to school and his mother has taken them to work.

"It was real interesting, 'cause, two spiders in my ear -- what next?" Jesse said.

[NV Whino]

1. One wonders what the popping sounds were

Tap dancing on the ear drums, maybe?

[Whoa_Nelly]

2. Oh My! I get popping sounds in my ears like Rice Krispies from time to time!

But, my audiologist says that part and parcel of the type of hearing loss I have.

Sure hope she's right... :scared:

[SPKrazy]

3. Hmmmmm?

I get popping sounds, strange ringing, and such. :think: I dunno :shrug:

mebbe I'm spiderman!

[Whoa_Nelly]

4. Have you had your hearing checked?

My audiologist says what you just described as the neural response to fill in for the loss of normal hearing ability.

[SPKrazy]

5. It's been a long time...

I have a lot of trouble with my ears getting stopped up as they don't drain well (TMI) but an audiologist is a good thought!

I do sometimes find myself not "comprehending" as quickly as it seems I should what I hear. :shrug:

[Whoa_Nelly]

6. The good news is

that IF you need hearing aids, it's possible to improve your hearing by getting them while your brain is still young enough to make new connections. People often complain about the "old folks" who have finally gotten hearing aids after age 60 or so, and how they hate to wear them. The reason they don't like the improved hearing is because it's loud, and their older brains cannot make the connections necessary to lessen the impact of the increased volume.

Hope you do get a hearing check up!
Just be sure to be seen by a licensed audiologist and not one of the Beltone or other type of box store hearing clinics :hi:

[SPKrazy]

8. okay, thanks for the advice

:pals:

[Kali]

7. I have had cattle ticks in my ears twice.

Once when I was about 10 and again after I was an adult. Rice crispy sound is a good description.

[HuffleClaw]

9. "it emerged, still alive"

that would be one impressive 'show and tell'