Two People Claim They Got Ear Infections From The New Museum's Tank

Photo by Katie Sokoler/Gothamist

Not too long ago the Department of Health paid of visit to the New Museum's Carsten Höller Experience exhibit, which features a sensory deprivation tank, called the "Psycho Tank." Upon their departure they told the museum the tank, which visitors float around in naked, could only have one person in it at time, but overall cleared the exhibit. Now a recent visitor is claiming she contracted an ear infection from the tank, as did her boyfriend. She tells us:

"I went to the New Museum with my boyfriend on Sunday, November 27th. My boyfriend and I waited in line for three hours to float in the sensory deprivation tank... Which means that I would float around naked in a tank that many museum visitors had already been in that day. I recognize some risks here, but the water was heavily chemically treated, and the NY Health Department had already cracked down on them for some issues, so I figured, how much more dangerous could this be than a typical pool?
Well, at least marginally more dangerous. Two days later, we both had very painful ear infections in both ears. I had never had an ear infection in my life! After 8 days of antibiotics, our ear infections are STILL not gone. I tried to post this information on their Tumblr, but surprise, surprise, the moderator has not yet approved my post."

Aside from trying to post on the Tumblr, she hasn't tried contacting the museum. We reached out this morning for a comment, but have yet to hear back. It's possible this infection came from somewhere else, or that's it's swimmer's ear, but she tells us, "I am absolutely certain it came from the tank. We both are not prone to infections—and I've never had an ear infection before." Has anyone else experienced a problem at the exhibit (which, by the way, is pretty amazing, so we hope not).

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on December 9, 2011 4:49 PM

Comments [rss]

PhotoR

Sounds like they're into ear-play

Krista Freibaum

I went a few weeks back as well and to be honest, it was fine. Totally clean and there's even a shower. It feels way cleaner than a pool or even a bath tub. Plus, if those people are a couple they probably could have got matching ear infections from something else - maybe even something weird and sexual.... just saying.

Ryan Irven

I went a few weeks ago and it was very sanitary, it has filters (despite not showing the engineering of the tank in the picture) and it was just as clean if not cleaner than a pool because you don't have young kids playing in it.

TWaller

Yes, I want to soak in the same tepid pool of filth that thousands of others soak in. Yes, please, may I? Yes, I'll pay for the privilege.

Theose

What ever happened to taking a bath, at home?

birdtird

"I went to the New Museum with my boyfriend on Sunday, November 27th. My boyfriend and I waited in line for three hours to float in the sensory deprivation tank...... we are reatarded."

robingee

She has a boyfriend!

aspiringrapper

...paid a visit. Not paid of visit. You can at least try, can't you?

robingee

Only two? I like those odds!

AaronRed99

Rhey should get mental exams for jumping into that germ pool.

Unkle_Bob

Why is everyone so grossed out about this? How is this any more unhygienic than a regular swimming pool?

nunyadamn

Pools have filters and the ph levels are regulated. That doesn't look like it has a filter.

Please don't argue with me as I love to swim and can not bear to think about a nasty pool.

robingee

Well then how is it different than swimming in a lake or river? HM? HMM? Hey did you hear about that lady that drowned in a pool and no one found her FOR DAYS because the water was so cloudy? Grossssss.

nunyadamn

Eww no. But I did hear about the people this summer who were swimming in lakes and getting a parasite that then gave them a brain infection and the died. Happened to my friend's cousins brother (no it is for real)

robingee

Wouldn't your friend's cousin's brother just be your friend's cousin as well?

nunyadamn

No. Different Father. Different Mother. In fact, they found the kid under a pile of leaves one Fourth of July.

robingee

If I had a nickel.

Jessica Jones

Is it really lit up like that? I mean, you can see, feel, smell, hear... How is that sensory deprivation? And can people see you naked?

PhotoR

Seriously. Is that what it looks like?

redo_undo

They probably got clusters of pubic hairs jammed in their ears. No amount of chlorine dissolves pubic hair kiddies.

And that is nasty, they do deserve the ear infections.