Hi Peter,
It is absolutely possible, but it is difficult and requires lots of patience. Sound localization is the biggest issue, so finding errant buzzes and squeaks takes extra time for investigation. Tuning and voicing also take longer because you have to move around the piano a bit to find the ideal and consistent sound with the good ear. Standing to tune helps. Be sure to use hearing protection while tuning or in the shop!
Your student is welcome to reach out to me with any questions or if he needs some guidance. I have had SSD since I was 17; I started learning to tune 10 years later. I have been tuning and voicing for nearly a decade now and none of my clients (homes, churches, universities, performance halls) know I have a hearing impairment. I use Cybertuner in my daily work but I trained aurally and took my RPT exams aurally and have assisted in many tuning exams. I also offer tuning tutoring regularly. I have to move my head around to find where the beats are easiest to hear, which is sometimes frustrating and I'm sure I look a little odd, but it's certainly doable. I try to be aware of my posture and stretch and strengthen my neck/shoulders/back. Neck strain and sound localization are the two biggest things, I'd say.
I don't have any feedback on piano work with a cochlear implant as I don't use any hearing assistance devices, but if it doesn't sound good for music (most devices don't), he can turn it off and use the good ear. I still play and perform on a regular basis and it just takes more awareness and feedback on volume from others.
Hope that helps!
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Jenny Stokes, RPT
Dallas, TX
972-571-7937
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2026 15:32
From: Peter Acronico
Subject: Single Sided Deafness
Hello! One of my students and friend at LPC Institute of Piano Technology in Livermore, CA experienced a traumatic event where he lost his hearing completely on one side (SSD). While I have the opinion he could enter our trade quite competently, with few complications, I wonder after reading the email he sent below someone would have some input for him and me to understand the issue best.
Hello Peter, I am an advanced pianist exploring formal training in piano technology and restoration. I recently developed single sided deafness in my right ear and will be receiving a cochlear implant this year. My left ear remains excellent, and I continue to play piano daily. From your perspective as a working piano technician, is tuning, regulation, voicing, and restoration work generally feasible for someone with single sided deafness or a cochlear implant? Are there specific aspects of the work that tend to be more challenging, or is this something you have seen others successfully manage? Any insight from your experience would be greatly appreciated.
Best regards,
Francois Grisel
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Warm Regards,
Peter Acronico, RPT
(408) 838-2559