What would you do if you lost your hearing?

[Karen Lee Steenwijk]

This question is no meant to funny,cause it happened to me in "one week".What would you do if you woke up tomorrow and could not hear?As a musician if you step back and look at the scenario and how loud we play our music,it not impossible for this to happen.


Karen
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[Fred Shannon]

"What would you do if you woke up tomorrow and could not hear?"

I guess you do what I did, you sell all your 'stuff' . No hear, no play steel guitar, or at least that is what happened to me. I wonder how many fo bros are ready to do that? Could happen.

phred

[Bo Legg]

Karen, I think this is something that we all block out of our mind.

It would be a great loss but it doesn’t have to be the end of your music enjoyment or creativity.

People do amazing things when presented a challenge.

Since you have heard you could remember what the steel sounded like and you could visualize where it would be played on the PSG neck and you could even tab out the new song if someone would give you the notation.

What I’m saying here is that while you would not be able to perform on the PSG in any type live performance, you could do a lot of things physically and mentally on the PSG in a noncompetitive environment and pass your knowledge and insight down to others and derive a lot of satisfaction for your endeavors.

Here is just one example

My son Stuart does all my song arranging and puts the songs I need to learn out in notation and puts it into tab note for note where it’s at on the E9th neck.

He’s work out a complete new blues style playing for the E9th that I’m still working on and he has given me a lot of new Ideas on the E9th.

He takes sheet music and converts it in his mind to how it would sound if Buddy, Paul, Moony or Day would play it and he tabs it to that style.

He’s really scary on Music Theory.

What’s so unusual about this is that he does all this without being able physically to play the PSG because of his disables caused by an auto accident.

He has devoured acres of tabs from all the greats. He has almost all of Newman, Kornacker, Emmons, Smith and Franklin tabs and a whole lot of other misc. tabs for E9th.

His vocal chords are paralyzed and he still talks and don’t think it would change anything much if, God forbid, he lost his hearing.

[Jeff Hyman]

Complete hearing loss is something we can all be sorry about, but only those that have lost their hearing really know the feeling. I am 100% blind in my right eye. I thank God every day I still have my left eye. I wonder what the odds are of being deaf in one ear. Missing stereo would be a huge loss. Just for the heck of it, cover one eye for ONE minute. See how it feels. You lose all depth perception. Have someone toss you a set of keys and see if you can tell where it is. I think having almost two of everything is a great gift.

[Larry Bressington]

Some players sound like they are already deaf.
[Telecaster/fender twin]
Neighbours hate em!
Seriously though, we'd be done.

[John Bechtel]

I gradually lost all hearing in my left ear by the mid-70s. I didn't start playing my steel with 2-Amps until ’83, but; I knew what stereo sounded like and I knew it was quite enjoyable, so; I started using 2-Amps. hopefully to the appreciation of those listening! I still usually use 2-Amps. although what I hear is only the overall sound, w/o the stereo-effect. It amuses me at times, when someone calls my name and I have to turn in a complete circle, until I can ‘see’ where the sound is coming from! The same process go when hearing a plane overhead!

[Jeff Hyman]

John,

Interesting reply. I assume this has an effect on what side of the stage you setup on? Being blind in my right eye requires me to always be to the right of the drummer. I'd rather see the other band members then the crowd. Do you find it better when you setup on the Drummers left? ... so your good ear faces the band?

[Eric West]

Karen, you mentioned a coclear (sp) implant on your other post.

I would probably try to get one if I could and play keyboard if I could.

I understand the implants are not clear enough for intonation, but my need to play music would definitely make me try something along those lines.

I recently TEMOPRARILY lost the muscles in my two left little fingers and it scared me witless. I worked on them as hard as I could and brought them back to 80% after three to 8 hours a day from a foam block which I could barely move for a week to a nerf ball, and now double my 6 string playing time. It was a pinched and starved muscle group that lost it's strength because of my hormone therapy. ( I hope.)

You have my prayers as always.



EJL

[John Bechtel]

Jeff; Yes, I prefer sitting stage-left, but; it isn't always possible, so; I work it either way and hope for the best! It really doesn't seem to matter all that much! Sometimes, with a really loud band; it's more comfortable stage-right!!!

[Karen Lee Steenwijk]

Fred it is so nice to see you,how is Dovie? I think of her from time to time,she sure is a sweetheart.I did not know you lost your hearing also,I know how you feel...from what I have heard you are quit a writer! Any books yet? Let me know!... Yes! John the "stereo" sound is gone,and I miss it.I noticed when I turned the amp on tonight and tried to play... it sounds like its in a tunnel,with just bass.I always favored my left ear when it came to setting up the band,my "steeler" was always on the left.
He was always the one that did the "intros" at the time because I did not have a lead player.Besides he was was always paying attention Jeff.. nice to meet you,thank-you for responding.My heart goes out to you.I cant imagine what you go through day to day.
Eric that is what I am looking in to I have heard good things about the "implants".Of course it will take some getting use to like anything.I am not giving up on steel....it has been a "true commitment" to myself that I would be playing this instrument that "I love".I just need to adjust to the "difference" of the sound now.It is going to take some time.
Question for "John" what settings do you use on your amps now.This may help me a little in adjusting the sound.

Thanks folks!

Karen

[Henry Nagle]

I guess I'd take up drums!

[Jeff Hyman]

Sometimes, with a really loud band; it's more comfortable stage-right!!!

John,
Great idea! In my case, if the band members are really ugly I could go stage left :-)

[Jim Sliff]

That's something I've been concerned with for decades, and I started using hearing protection onstage and working boards decades ago, in the days of multiple, wide-open Marshall stacks.

To answer the question directly, I'd take up guitar tech/finishing work as my sole music-related activity. I could still work on amps, but I prefer (unlike a lot of so-called amp techs) to listen to the results and tweak an amp for good tone....so that'd be something I'd have to also give up.

Sidebar - for those who post about their bands being "too loud" - get a set of Hearos (even wadded-up tissue paper is better than nothing) and place them in both ears; you'll help prevent hearing loss (especially on the treble end) and it also makes everything more articulate; you lose a lot of the chaotic, high-volume "blur".

I know far too many former musicians or ones who play with horrendously bright tone because of hearing loss or tinnitus. Play safely.

[Ron !]

I though I would chime in here a little bit and tell you what I am doing now to get Karen's hearing back to a point that she still would be able to proceed in taking up the steel guitar and do what she does best.....MUSIC....

Last week after the Hospital visit did I tell her first so called specialist to hit the skids.He totally messed up things and told her out of the blue that she lost her hearing.
This was not said face to face but I had to call him in his office because he already left the hospital with a fat paycheck I guess.

Yesterday Karen went to another specialist and he took the time to explain to us what he thought happened.
He told us that Karen's right ear is totally deaf(nothing can't be done they say)and her left ear has 35%.
Due to a viral infection this 35% reduced to a lot less.
The specialist said that it's time for a hearing aid on this side......so be it.

But in the mean time did I check into these Cochlear implants(not many people know about these).

If we can get her left side working again with a hearing aid the right side can be picked up a little bit with a Cochlear implant.
Many people asked me what a Cochlear implant does.
Here is a little write up from the internet.

A cochlear implant is a small, complex electronic device that can help to provide a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard-of-hearing. The implant consists of an external portion that sits behind the ear and a second portion that is surgically placed under the skin (see figure). An implant has the following parts:

* A microphone, which picks up sound from the environment.
* A speech processor, which selects and arranges sounds picked up by the microphone.
* A transmitter and receiver/stimulator, which receive signals from the speech processor and convert them into electric impulses.
* An electrode array, which is a group of electrodes that collects the impulses from the stimulator and sends them to different regions of the auditory nerve.

An implant does not restore normal hearing. Instead, it can give a deaf person a useful representation of sounds in the environment and help him or her to understand speech.

Right now I am doing whatever it takes to get Karen's hearing back.I probably get around 5 hours sleep every day but i won't give up and Karen either.

Thank you all guys and galls for you prayers and thoughts.It helps a whole lot to see people caring for us.I have some tracks that I need to get out to people and I hope they bare with me a while to get them done.Guys I didn't forget about you.

Ron

P.S

Did you know that a $750 hearing aid is not covered by our health insurance and a $15.000 operation is.
Talk about weird huh?

[John Bechtel]

I really haven't played fom home for quite a while now, but; the last time I did I was set at about:
Pre-Gain 6
Low +6dB
Mid –6dB
Shift 650Hz
High +6dB
Pres. +6dB
Rev 4
Master 10
Here at home, I've been playing Non-Pedal Steel and at the present time I'm set about:
Pre-Gain 4.5
Low ±0dB
Mid –6dB
Shift 650Hz
High +3dB
Pres. +3dB
Rev. 3.5
Master 5.5

[Donny Hinson]

What would you do if you lost your hearing?

Shucks, that's easy. I'd probably become a top Nashville record producer! (Seems that's where all the other folks who can't hear have migrated. )

[Bill Hatcher]

I though I would chime in here a little bit and tell you what I am doing now to get Karen's hearing back to a point that she still would be able to proceed in taking up the steel guitar and do what she does best.....MUSIC....

Very sorry to read about this hearing loss. Tragic.

I personally would not pursue learning the steel guitar with this kind of hearing problem. The steel guitar is an instrument that by the very nature of the sound of it, the intricate overtone series, the penetrating/piercing potential sonically, etc. It is a hard instrument on ears that are healthy, much less ears that are already in trouble.

I would suggest getting her a nylon string guitar or something like that. Best to her in her treatment.

[Karen Lee Steenwijk]

Henry Great idea...drums would work right now
Danny now that is funny your right about the producers.
Bill..as far as "guitars" go I have three.I also play keys and bass..I always wanted to learn "steel because I love it so.When I was growing up the first record I went out and bought was "The steel guitar of "Pete Drake" I still have it! That is the one where he used the tubes to make his steel talk. Boom I was hooked!Then I heard "Lloyd" and had the honor of meeting him and having him play on my sessions. I should have started way back then...but I was pursuing a singing career.But steel is where the ole heart is!

God Bless
karen

[Twayn Williams]

If I could still distinguish pitch at all, I'd probably hang on for dear life.

The avante-garde guitarist/lap steel guitarist/loopist David Torn lost all hearing in one ear due to a brain tumor. He's written on his struggle to regain his playing facility as well the other health issues that came with the tumor.

In my opinion, his playing has improved from an already amazing level to simply stunning. His guitar rig (complex enough to give physicists math anxiety ) is in stereo. He's learned how to make deal with mono hearing and makes it work.

[Sam White]

I have been having a problem trying to hear the cord changes and the timming. Well I went to the VA Hospital and had a hearing test done. I have lost the Hi frequncey in my left ear and my right ear is boarder line. I''m now waiting for them to call me to tell me my hearing aids are in.I hope this will help me to play my steel better and hear the changes.
Sam White
President NESGA

[Karen Lee Steenwijk]

Hello Sam, I sure hope that they work for you.I know what you mean by "Losing your high frequency" seems Like the tones are sharper and piercing and the bass overrides.Good luck to you..keep on a picking!

Karen

[Sam White]

Thank You Karen I hope you can get your hearing straitened out.Ther is a Guy in North Carolina that plays Steel and he is totaly blind and he is a great steel player.I have heard of one that is deaf and he also plays.There also is a man in Cape Cod MA. that has one leg and it is his pedal leg and he had Mr. Marlen from Marlin Steel Guitar hook up a Knee lever that he can use as a Volumn Knee lever. He also has the pedals on the oposet side of the pedal bar and he is a great Steel player.
Sam White
President
New England Steel Guitar Association

[Bent Romnes]

This is a scary, yet very necessary thread.It sure is an eye opener I hope it helps all of us in some way, who have suffered hearing loss.

My hearing is still quite ok. But due to working around heavy equipment all my life, I have suffered some hearing loss. The specialist told me that of course it is not recoverable; certain frequencies are weak and the 24/7 ringing in my ears is irritating and cannot be fixed. He told me it might help somewhat if I got a set of the newest, most expensive hearing aids. I think he said something like $1500 per ear.. And that is not in my budget.. my hearing is still not THAT bad.

But the thought is sure scary...What if one day we are not able to hear our beloved steel any more? All I can say is that I hope that day never comes.
Thanks for bringing this up, Karen.
Bent

[Brett Day]

I can't hear very well out of my left ear cause of cerebral palsy, but I can hear pretty well out of my right ear. If I lost my hearin', I don't know what I'd do.

Brett

[Rick Hulett]

Huh?