[CAUT] Hearing Protection Desirable for Tuning?

[Greg Granoff]

I've found hearing protection a plus when tuning  uprights in practice
cubicles (I use the 9db filters in custom fitted Westone plugs) because
somehow the sound of those Hamiltons is so "in your face" in that
circumstance.  I actually can feel my hearing being pummeled and tiring out
without them.  I don't generally use them anywhere else for tuning. I would
feel uncomfortable and worried that I was not hearing as subtly as I would
like if I did.  Some techs use them everywhere with apparent success though.

Greg Granoff
Humboldt State University


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeff Olson" <jlolson@cal.net>
To: "College and University Technicians" <caut@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, October 28, 2005 10:45 AM
Subject: [CAUT] Hearing Protection Desirable for Tuning?


> I was surprised to learn that anyone believes that normal tuning would
> generate decibels anywhere close to ear-damaging levels.  My understanding
> is that the "average" person can safely tolerate eight hours of continous
85
> db.  I'd guess the decibels normally generated by a piano tuning would be
> around 45 - 65 db, unless one is tuning the piano Jerry Lewis style :).
>
> I'm wondering what your basis would be for believing that tuning
represents
> a threat to hearing (or does it simply seem more comfortable to you to
wear
> earplug/filters?).  Is it personal experience, or are you aware of
> scientific studies that confirm this possibility (I'm not aware of any,
but
> that doesn't mean they don't exist)?
>
> Best,
>
> JO
>
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