Loss and Piano Tuning ( was: hearing etc.)

[DIANE HOFSTETTER]

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