When I was 14 I learned a wonderful technique to maximize the volume of my trumpet by tightening my diaphragm and opening my throat while playing my notes. Excited about this new technique I tried to see just how much volume I could get. Outside the high school after Saturday practice I blasted my horn as loud as I could. The noise echoed throughout the neighborhood of my small rural town. Intrigued, and wanting to annoy people in town, I tried again. This time, however, I heard a loud Pop! I felt a terrible pressure in my right ear, an intense ringing, and my ability to keep my balance was noticeably diminished.
After some time, I finally saw a doctor about the hearing loss. I regained my balance, but my hearing never came back and the ringing never stopped. The doc simply stated that my trumpet playing career was over. I should take up the drums.
I quit the band, I had no interest in joining the percussion session. Instead I took my Yamaha student level trumpet and turned it in to a music store for credit on an electric guitar and amplifier. A guitarists was born.
I attribute my love for the guitar to directly to my hearing loss. I picked up that guitar, I joined a band, I started playing and haven't stopped since.
I know what your thinking, just get a hearing aid dummy. I tried one and didn't like it. It's like listening to the world through a crummy speaker system. It's not natural and it doesen't help with the ringing.
There are challenges, personal and musically. I have to place myself specifically on stage so that I can hear my fellow band mates. I can't hear myself when I sing, so I don't. I don't sing when I perform, but I still sing in the shower.
My wife won't let me drive when we are together. I'm a good driver, but we can't communicate when she sits on my deaf side. I have a hard time hearing my children talk in the car. They have had to learn what side to approach me on when the come to ask for something.
Meeting new people is a challenge too. I have to explain that I can only walk on one side of somebody if we are walking to a destination. People have approached me and started full conversations with me without my knowledge at all! I have been accused of being a rude person, simply because I can't hear. It's difficult but it's my burden.
There are some positives. It's easy to fall asleep in a noisy environment. I can also focus on tasks easily in noisy environments. I also only need one earplug to operate loud machinery or to operate a fire arm.
My hearing loss has given me a great perspective on the guitar and music in general. Hearing melodies and finding pitch is difficult for me. I have found some unique methods for finding a pitch by trying to feel the vibration in the guitar. This method works great while tuning as well.
I began teaching guitar with my unique perspective almost 11 years ago. I immensely enjoy teaching my students and I find great reward in it. Almost a year ago I started GuitarLessonsOkc, specializing in in-home guitar lessons in the Oklahoma City, Norman, Newcastle, and Moore areas.
I specialize in guitar for kids, guitar for beginners, and giving lessons to intermediate and advanced guitar learners. For more blog posts on learning the guitar or music for kids check out
GuitarLessonsOkc
I have been dealing with hearing loss for more than half my life at the time of this writing. It has presented it's challenges. Given what it has challenged me to do, I wouldn't change a thing. I hope that you never let your obstacles get between you and your dreams. Be the best player that you can be.
