Loss and Piano Tuning ( was: hearing etc.)

[Fenton Murray]

Diane,
I appreciate your research and study on this. Also, for bringing it to our
collective attention. I am slowly starting to use the pro plugs I got from
you more when I tune, hearing protection in the shop is now standard ops.
Hearing protection is just one aspect of a safety first approach to our
occupation. Very important.
Fenton
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "DIANE HOFSTETTER" <dianepianotuner at msn.com>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, May 07, 2006 8:29 PM
Subject: RE: Loss and Piano Tuning ( was: hearing etc.)


> 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
>
>
>
>