Helen Keller's comment is exactly right. Having studied and taught the medical history of the great musicians (from Bach on), I note that there have been numerous blind musicians (organists, e.g.), who have had successful careers and good lives. Deafness spells the end to any performance career (e.g., Beethoven), although composing is still possible. And deafness does certainlhy cut you off. I have had blind students in my classes, and they seem to do OK, and people like them and try to include and help them. I have never had a hearing-impaired student, so it must be much less common than blindness or visually impaired students.

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