I have to hold it under my chin or a) I can't hold it securely, and b) my left wrist gives out (another occupational hazard, I guess, of a near-lifetime of playing music . . .), which isn't an issue if I don't have to bend it sharply for prolonged periods. I've never heard of bone conduction but I supposed I'd be a candidate since I'm in no danger of developing a double chin any time soon.

I think I'll start with a left ear plug. It doesn't seem to be bothering my right ear and I'm still struggling a little bit with hitting the notes straight on, so I need to ear them clearly.

Thanks! Glad to know I wasn't just crazy. Most of my fiddle friends bitch about their wrists and hands but I hadn't heard them complain about ears before. (Maybe they're all already partly deaf??)