Ed, I definitely agree with you that we have to be concerned with " joint problems, repetitive stress problems, tendonitis, carpal tunnel problems, etc", as I have had problems with my left hand and arm. However, I don't think that means we shouldn't be concerned about our hearing. All of our faculties are important to us! Just some of the techs we know about who have had problems with hearing: Brent Fischer, RPT; Rich Snelson; Hans Troost; Bob Hofstetter, RTT (he's why I do this work--the tuning AND the hearing research). Diane Hofstetter ----Original Message Follows---- From: A440A at aol.com Reply-To: Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org> To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Loss and Piano Tuning ( was: hearing etc.) Date: Sun, 7 May 2006 15:10:22 EDT Robert writes: << Thanks a lot for your comments Andrew. I will defintely look into getting ear plugs. Not only do I want to prevent any damage to my ears as a result of tuning pianos, but I don't want my hearing to be degraded as a musician either since I play piano recitals and attend lots of concerts. >> Greetings, It is interesting that we, as tuner/techs, worry so much about our hearing. I don't think I have ever met someone that had to leave the business because of hearing problems. HOWEVER !, I have spoken to numerous techs and former techs that had to leave the tuning and rebuilding business because of joint problems, repetitive stress problems, tendonitis, carpal tunnel problems, etc. and I have heard very, very, little about protecting against these things. Worry about our hearing is misplaced if we ignore the mechanical dangers of our work. I would suggest that a better expense than custom ear plugs would be a yoga course, or a physical trainer or therapist that could diagnose our posture, ergonomic habits, and flexibility capacity. That is where the more likely danger will be addressed. Regards, Ed Foote RPT http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html
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