My first homemade Instrument (that is not 3d printed)! A vielle/fidel that uses violin parts.
The mensur is identical to that of a violin, as is fingerboard, bridge curvature, and general instrument size. Currently it's stringed with 1/2 viola strings, tuned C-G-D-A. Body and neck are carved from a single block of maple. No soundpost, only a bass bar. After varnishing, I'll attach a standard violin chinrest and Wittner integrated shoulder rest, so it can be played like a regular violin.
I can play violin a bit (first position, without vibrato- which covers a lot of folk and medieval songs). Had to quit lessons due to the pandemic and have been practicing with books since then.
I have hearing damage as well, albeit only one sided. The right ear still works well, and I still have bone conduction through the chin rest.
Have you tried hearing aids?
Nice but unfortunately that you had to quit due pandemic. Hope the practice with books works well!
Got a similar situation. Got hear damage on my left side (lost 80%). However also got tinnitus on the right side.
I went to my GP and he told me, it is better not to practice/ learn violin due to possible of losing more hearing my left side (even possible of becoming 100% deaf).