My 14 yr old daughter is a very keen fiddle player and plays with a group of young talented musicians who play weekly gigs in the northeast of scotland. She has just passed her grade 5 exam, however she found the aural very difficult, and for the first time she failed her scales.( The examiner said that all the scale fingerings were known but they were all very out of tune)Unfortunately she lost some of her hearing in her right ear when she was 12. she says that she can't really hear what things sound like unless she takes the violin away from her good ear. She mishears D,s B,s E,s e.t.c and by the time she's worked out what has been asked, the examiner is onto the next question. I feel so dissappointed for her because she works so hard. The last two exams her hearing was mentioned but this time it wasn't as it sounds like your trying to make excuses, surely it shouldn't need to be mentioned every time? She will be taking her grade 4 piano in March and grade 5 theory in June. She has very little problems with her other hobbies-Highland Dancing(unless the piper turns away)and piping which justs makes us all deaf! The consultant originally said that her other ear would compensate but when fine tuning is required I beg to differ. Can any one help? Would a hearingaid help whilst playing? Next question, can you take grade 5 fiddle as opposed to classical?

Someone needs to mention it at each exam, just to make sure the examiner speaks extra clearly etc - even if it's been put on the entry form, a reminder would be a sensible precaution.

But I wonder if there is something more going on than the basic hearing loss? Has your daughter been thoroughly checked out recently? I ask this because one of my advanced recorder pupils has a significant hearing loss in one ear (and has had this since she was a lot younger), but it doesn't at all seem to affect her ability to keep in tune, either with herself, with a piano accompaniment or playing with others.

Dear Kirsty,

There is a special Access section on all our Examination Entry forms where candidates who may have special requirements can highlight their needs.

Your child's teacher should be able to talk through this section with you along with any allowances that are given or alternative tests that can be administered. Please note that in all instances, examiners do mark to the same high standard, so your daughters achievements would still be equally as valid. However, the alternative tests may be more appropriate for her.

If you would like to read in to this further, please take a look at our Access pages for Candidates. You can find them here:

http://www.abrsm.org/?page=exams/specialNeeds
http://www.abrsm.org/?page=exams/regs/ukIr...kIre_03_20.html

To take a look at our applications form, please click on this link:
http://www.abrsm.org/resources/ukEntryForm05.pdf

Finally, if you would like to discuss this issue further with an Associated Board member of staff, please contact our Special Needs Administrator, Ruth Turner on 020 7467 8216.

Best regards

Christine Morris
Forums Administration

Many thanks for the advice , I will try and follow it up. I wish that I could find an E.N.T surgeon who is interested in musicians. I remember seeing an orthopaedic surgeon who after retiral took a keen interest in musicians injuries.