Playing on the Acoustic Piano with Hyperacusis

[victoria9273]

I am very fond of Jazz piano and I've been to lessons a few months ago. Only I had to wear my foam earplugs really tight(I know how to wear them properly.) and still the sound is very loud... it would, of couse, because it can sorely be used for performances on-stage. Or the room was to small to send the noise smoothly.

It's really frustrating and tiresome but I couldn't really crave for digital pianos. Accoustic ones are so much better with regards to the hammer mechanisms and the resonance and vibration of the sound.
I really wonder if these hyperacusis is the physical and collateral manifestation of hearing damage or just an mental manifestation relating with nerve-breakdowns?

Based on my experience, both affects. I had this experience where a truly disheartening and depressive incident happened to me which made me forget all about being careful with the hearing. I was so disinterested with my life for a moment that I really didn't care what I hear, or how I would here. When this happened, I was in a constantly streesed mood and would even recoil from the sound of a water falling heavily. Well, but with this particular incident, I suddenly was able to hear those sound without being streesed. Even the accoustic piano sound sounded much more softer! but no softer. I recovered from my mental state, but the hyperacusis was essentially never cured.

Then, what would be the end-result of this hyperacusis?.... I want to hear your experience and your toils. Would gladly share experiences with you.

 

[UpDownAround]

I gave in to the dark side; I play a MIDI keyboard into the computer and have the output at a very low volume. I don't buy into the thinking that electronically produced sounds is any different than acoustically produced vibrations of the same wavelength and intensity.

There is absolutely a mental component in my H because I have a startle response. When someone opens a soft drink can across the table from me, even if it isn't very loud and I watch them do it, I flinch. Bipolar disorder (which I have) is noted as a possible cause of H.

 

[PaulBe]

I play all the time with my left foot on the damper pedal. My whole style has changed away from rock/boogie to MOR/light jazz. Its made more respectful of gentle melody over trying to mimic electric guitars with piano chords.

 

[victoria9273]

I play all the time with my left foot on the damper pedal. My whole style has changed away from rock/boogie to MOR/light jazz. Its made more respectful of gentle melody over trying to mimic electric guitars with piano chords.

Even as a child, I would use my damper pedal. Or was it because the piano was so old and untended that the sound just diffused as they liked?

Interesting to hear that your whole playing style changed. Once my teacher showed me how to accentuate with the blues rhythm, she hit the note so hard that I was much vexed(I put on my earplugs, of course).
But what fascinated me was that whenever she played piano, her touch was done so perfectly and delicately that the sound was overall smooth and soft even if they were naturally loud. And obtaining that kind of touch is my chief goal in practicing the piano, for music is so good to be missed.

 

[victoria9273]

I don't buy into the thinking that electronically produced sounds is any different than acoustically produced vibrations of the same wavelength and intensity.

Yes. They are, essentially, the same auditory sound. But I'm into thinking that more clear and uniformly produced sound of synthesizer ones are more easy to cope with.

 

[PaulBe]

she hit the note so hard that I was much vexed

Beautiful, old-style English. However you've learned it, you've learned it better than most. I had a colleague once from Zimbabwe. Once you stripped away his thick home accent, his actual English was better than that of the English and Australians he worked with. from him it sounded like artful poetry. Language is an amazing thing.

 

[Mister Muso]

Hi - old thread but I was going to start one like it myself. Piano player since age 5, I'm 54 now, and just resumed playing piano again on a daily basis around March this year. Having a great time learning all those songs by Beethoven, Queen and others that I always wanted to master. Then six weeks later after going to a concert and using headphones too loud I get T and H making it impossible to play without earplugs. I don't think the piano contributed to the start of my condition, but it does cause me discomfort unless I use hearing protection now. I feel I'll never be able to perform Bohemian Rhapsody or Moonlight Sonata 3rd movement they way they are supposed to be performed now, as even with earplugs and n/c headphones, my tinnitus gets worse after it. Whilst my T so far always returns to the normal bearable level again overnight, I'm still trying to weigh up if it is worth the risk to continue playing the piano, or should I take a break from it and see what happens?

I do have an electronic keyboard which I could use through a speaker at low volume, but it's not the same as playing my real acoustic piano.

I could live with the T, but it's the H and pressure around my ear that worries me the most. Seeing an ENT specialist soon for the first time, so I guess I'll ease off until after that.

 

[GregCA]

Whilst my T so far always returns to the normal bearable level again overnight, I'm still trying to weigh up if it is worth the risk to continue playing the piano, or should I take a break from it and see what happens?

I would take a break if I were in your shoes.

I do have an electronic keyboard which I could use through a speaker at low volume, but it's not the same as playing my real acoustic piano.

You have options with electronic pianos (not keyboards/synthesizers), where you can get the sound to be generated on them or generated by a computer hooked up to them. It will feel (weighted keys) and sound very close to your piano, and of course, the volume will be adjustable.

I use this setup with my drums.