Orpheus Music

8075 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182

Presentation by Robin Whitehouse

“Hearing Conservation for the Piano Tuner: A Healthy Lifestyle”

A primer on hearing conservation designed specifically for the piano tuner. Explores the social, medical, and personal risks and impacts of hearing loss, with a practical approach to knowingly combat noise induced hearing loss in your life.  Conservation methods illustrated through relevant sound physics and hearing function, and the correct recommended exposure limits (OSHA is very wrong!)  

This technical will explore the following:

• Hearing loss general information

• How the ear works, and how NIHL (noise induced hearing loss) works

• How hearing loss impacts lives

• How sound works (as applicable to listening as a piano tuner)

• Exposure - safe doses, measuring it, metrics in daily life and piano tuning

• Practical solutions for protecting your hearing

As piano technicians, we rely on our hearing for more than just tuning; we also need it to make tonal adjustments, to manage squeaks and creaks, to identify compromised action parts, and even for sub-conscious senses that we rely upon in every moment – such as directionality.  Conserving our hearing is not only a requirement to continue delivering professional service, but it enables us to continue enjoying the full articulation of music and to remain engaged and present in our own lives.