Are there many piano techs who are veterans?

[Diane Hofstetter]

It's true that quinine can cause damage to the hearing.

A tech here in Portland was taking quinine for leg cramps and having hearing 
problems and tinnitus--until I gave a chapter technical.  He told the doctor 
to take him off the quinine and within 4 days his tinnitus cleared up and 
his hearing returned to normal.  He thanked me for the help.

Two years later, I needed to make a mock patient file for my clinical class, 
so I phoned him up, interviewed him on his cell while he ordered "dinner" at 
Arby's, wrote it up (changing names) for my assignment and got an "A"   :-)

However, I don't know whether the tetanus shot and quinine have anything in 
common.  I'll post a message to one of my prof"s.

Diane



Diane Hofstetter




----Original Message Follows----
From: "Carlos Ralon" <ceralon at comcast.net>
Reply-To: Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>
To: <tcole at cruzio.com>, "Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Subject: Re: Are there many piano techs who are veterans?
Date: Sun, 13 May 2007 23:40:56 -0400

Some of you know that I served with the Merchant Marine during WWII, in a 
triple expansion steam engine room, and T-2 tankers with steam turbines.  
I've heard many 3"50's & 5".38's, and my hearing survived. As a volunteer, I 
still serve in the engine room of an active Liberty Ship as an oiler.  My 
hearing is fine for an 80 year old active tech, but be warned... I received 
a tetanus shot about 20 years ago after a cat bit me and within 15 minutes 
developed a high pitch ringing which has never stopped. I understand these 
shots contain Quinine, which can be harmfull to hearing. Anyone really know 
if this is correct? I have trouble hearing high faint buzzes sometimes.  I 
guess thats better than Lockjaw!
Carlos Ralon, PTG
   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Thomas Cole
   To: Pianotech List
   Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2007 5:36 PM
   Subject: Re: Are there many piano techs who are veterans?


   I was in the US Navy aboard ship in the early 60's and remember the loud 
blasts from the big guns as well as small arms fire and noisy engine rooms.

   I don't recall when the tinnitus started but it's a constant whistle at 
C#89 (conveniently enough).

   Tom Cole

   Diane Hofstetter wrote:
     Are any of you veterans?  Do any of you have tinnitus?

     Thursday evening I will be attending a talk; "Treatment for Hearing 
Loss and Tinnitus: State of the Art" by Dr. David Lilly, at one of the 
largest, most up-to-date hearing research centers in the counry, the new 
National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research.

     I was fortunate to meet Dr. Lilly at a recent hearing convention and am 
looking forward hearing him speak again and to finally seeing the research 
center.

     Since this facility is part of the  Veteran's Administration, their 
focus is on helping veterans with their hearing problems and I am wondering 
how many piano technicians are veterans.  It would be a good talking point 
if I ask them for help with research for piano tech's hearing problems.

     Thanks!
     Diane

     Diane Hofstetter