Comments

Some orchestra players do use ear plugs in order to protect their ears. Imagine if you play in the violas last row you have the trumpets just behind you, in general.

www.manfio.com

My first violin teacher wears a hearing aid. I actually didn't know that until one afternoon, the phone rings and she have to answers it, and she removed the piece out off her ear, and she wears both ears. The amazing thing about her is that, she teach ALL string instruments plus piano. She tune our instruments before every lesson, and she never fails to be out of tune, her intonations are phenomenal.

Maybe, hearing the notes are not only thru ears but  as always been said are thru your head.

This is an interesting topic to explore.

45 years of flying everything from props to jets did my ears in. My hearing loss in both ears is severe. However with two quality hearing aids from a PHD in Audiology has me playing almost as if my hearing loss never happened. They have to be adjusted while you play your instrument, though, otherwise it's a stab in the dark.

Oups, shouldn't read this, I'm quite young and afraid by reading this...   Poor little ears, I need you... !

Anne-Marie

I'm an adult newbie.  I noticed that playing my violin with my ear right near the F-holes was quite loud.  So I asked my instructor, "Does playing the violin eventually affect your hearing, Raffaele?"

"What?"

Ok.  Got my answer.  But, when I play my viola, it is SO LOUD I do wear an earplug.

---Ann Marie

I'm just here because I like the word intonate.

Luis:

I really hadn't thought of level of sound whilst playing in an orchestra, stupid of me actually. I imagine that where one is seated it could be quite uncomfortable and ultimately detrimental to ones hearing, no? I wonder if anyone is looking out for orchestral musicians hearing out there?

Elinor!

I've been receiving a few emails all with similar stories.

Some teachers having profound deafness and some perhaps not as much but all playing quite, quite well.

It seems that hearing is just not a function of the ears but a grouping of senses - vibration, touch and the ears. This is fascinating stuff!!!

Ray:

 I must say those little C65's are LOUD!   I've worn earplugs for years while flying and still I've had a bit of damage. Of course listening and playing rock and roll in my youth didn't help..

Ann Marie:

I'm surprised at how loud my little violin is so when you mention your viola, it must be something!!  I use a small rubber mute now when practicing just to take the "edge" off.