My life as a professional harpist has been incredibly busy for over 50 years. Diagnosed with the ultra-rare McArdle disease at age 38, and accepting I had a permanent disability, having just been appointed as the Principal Harpist of the BBCSO, was devastating, but I persevered. After 28 years in the position, I suddenly became permanently blind in my right eye, and after leaving the orchestra, I realised there was a ‘not so obvious’ decline in my hearing.
As musicians, we hear with far more than our ears: we inherently ‘feel’ music, we are rhythmically almost physically engrossed, harmonically we can ‘hear’ music within us so that whilst playing the harp, the hearing loss was not so apparent, but I missed bits of conversations, the television sound was increased… It’s a sort of taboo… a top-class musician with a hearing problem; I felt negative, yet I still managed really well; the determination and dedication to my love of harping kept me going.
They’re practically invisible and so unobtrusive.. I feel exhilarated.
I read about a few classical musicians who had been helped by the Musicians’ Hearing Services. The initial, very affordable ISM-discounted appointment led me to discover that I would benefit from hearing aids in both ears; it took me a while to accept, and I had to be comfortable with the actual aids themselves, but they’re practically invisible and so unobtrusive. Several solo recitals, lecturing, masterclasses, chamber concerts, orchestral concerts, later and concerts with a choir (all at highest professional levels) – I feel exhilarated.
It’s unfortunate that one cannot speak up about hearing issues in the musical world; many suffer in silence, and I hope I can help dispel the myth that one cannot be a fully-functional musician with some lack of hearing, but by using appropriate hearing aids.
My consultant was Paul Checkley, who dealt with my needs with professionalism and empathy. My hearing aids do not interfere in any way with my work on concert platforms or in recordings: they now make it totally possible. I recommend Harley Street Hearing and Musicians’ Hearing Services as a first-class resource for anyone with a potential hearing problem. I’m just grateful I found them when I did!
Sioned Williams-Hosseinian
Harpist
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