October 19, 2023

Popping Your Ears

No one really tells you how many indignities you’ll suffer on account of having a body. These are just things you learn, living in the body you have.

Ever since I had Covid, I’ve had this feeling, which comes and goes, that there is something in one of my ears. It’s hard to describe, really, except that it’s a bit like when you’ve gone in the pool, and some of the water gets stuck in your head. When I investigate, it turns out that my ear is ever so slightly—almost imperceptibly— ringing. Like, I have to hold my finger to my ear to hear it, pressing in to block any outside noise. I’m sure that over the past few weeks, people have noticed me doing it—standing around like I’m a reporter just now getting an urgent update from the station. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

This feels like the type of minor ailment that might slowly drive a person insane.1 Of course, writing about it, I’m also thinking: lol what if im dying. I will not be Googling that.

Luckily, once I’m able to pop my ear—hold your nose and exhale—the feeling and the ringing go away for a bit. It’s a relief, and soon, I hope, it’ll be for good. Just one of those fleeting complaints, the kind you forget about after enough time.

Small programming note: World events are certainly outside the scope of this newsletter, but if you would like to support relief efforts in Gaza, here is a place you can do such a thing. You might also read this, and this, and this, and this.