The most common hearing affliction suffered by musicians is tinnitus. To learn more about this painful condition and how to find relief, click here.
So without further ado, here’s a list of 10 musicians you probably didn’t know are hearing impaired:
1. Beethoven
Beethoven, one of the most well-known composers of all time, started to lose his hearing at age 26. He used hearing aids, including an ear horn, to manage his hearing loss. He almost completely lost his hearing a few years later. When the premiere of his Ninth Symphony ended, someone had to turn him around to accept the audience’s applause and standing ovation, because he was unable to hear it.
2. Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton attributes his tinnitus to prolonged exposure to loud music over his music career. Clapton is known as a member of the band, Cream, as well as for his solo career. He won six Grammy Awards in 1993, including Album of the Year and Song of the Year for Tears in Heaven.
3. Brian Wilson
Brian Wilson, formerly of the Beach Boys, suffers from extremely diminished hearing in his right ear from an unknown cause. There are theories that he may have been born this way, but other theories are that he suffered a blow to the head at a young age. Wilson won his first Grammy in 2005 for the instrumental track, “Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow.”
4. Phil Collins
Genesis member Phil Collins announced in 2011 that he was ending his touring career due to hearing loss. His diminished hearing due to chronic noise exposure was impacting his ability to perform, which resulted in his decision. Throughout his career, Phil Collins has won Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe awards and he insists that the soundtrack for Tarzan is the greatest soundtrack ever.
5. Neil Young
According to the Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers, 60% of inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are hearing impaired. Neil Young is no exception. Young suffers from the persistent ringing in his ears caused by tinnitus, which forced him to stop recording for a few years. Neil Young has won two Grammys, one in 2009 for Best Rock Song and another in 2010 for Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package.
6. Pete Townsend
Pete Townsend, guitarist for the Who, says his hearing loss is caused by long-term, loud headphone use and prolonged exposure to loud practices and concerts. In addition, bandmate Keith Moon used to use explosives to blow up his drum kit at the end of concerts. These blasts were loud and powerful enough to cause complete permanent damage to one of Townsend’s ears. “It hurts, it's painful, and it's frustrating," says Townsend.
7. Huey Lewis
Due to loud music, Huey Lewis suffers from extensive hearing loss and tinnitus. He wears hearing aids in both ears and shares his story routinely to raise awareness about hearing damage among musicians. Lewis won a Grammy in 1986 for Best Music Video - Long Form.
8. Ryan Adams
Alternative singer Ryan Adams suffers from Ménière's disease, a debilitating and incurable inner ear condition that causes spontaneous bouts of vertigo. He was forced to take a two-year break from his music career as a result. Adams has returned to the music scene and has earned himself a 2015 Grammy Award Nomination for Best Rock Album for his self-titled album.
9. Sting
Sting is known for both his solo career as well as his membership in The Police. Suffering from tinnitus, Sting has become an advocate for hearing loss awareness and a supporter of the Hear The World campaign. Sting has had an impressive music career, winning his first Grammy Award in 1980 for Best Rock Instrument Performance followed by 15 more Grammys since, the most recent for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals in 2003.
10. Bono
Did you know that the lead singer of U2 got his name from a childhood friend who derived his name from a hearing aid store in Dublin, Ireland? Ironically Bono would later suffer from tinnitus and even sings about hearing impairment in his music. Bono and U2 have won several awards, including a Grammy in 1995 for Best Music Video – Long Form and for U2: Zoo TV Live From Sydney.
Schedule Your Free Hearing Evaluation
Hearing loss develops gradually, so you may have a hearing loss and not even know it. If you have questions about your own hearing, schedule your Free hearing evaluation by calling 800-235-8663 or fill out the request appointment form.