How Don't Rappers and Rockstars Get Tinnitus?

[Pero1234]

And it's not just musicians... actors have it too!

Both Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner (Spock and Kirk) got tinnitus during their first year of Star Trek... it was caused by a badly timed explosion on set. Shatner has it in his right ear and Nimoy in the left one.

Shatner suffered... but made it through and is now an avid supporter en spokesman for the American Tinnitus Association.



As I am coincidentally seeing Star Trek for the first time, this was a fun little anecdote that makes me respect these two icons even more.

They just showed up for work and kept acting! For two more seasons and a bunch of movies!

 

[Manny]

@JohnAdams, @Manny

Did you read Paul Gray's story (bassist from The Damned) in the link I put up? He says he didn't leave his house for 3 years.

It's interesting to note that he is back playing bass with them having performed on their latest tour.

Yes, I did. Thanks for posting.
Three years, huh. Maybe I'll survive too?? We'll see, I guess.

 

[Bam]

Yes, I did. Thanks for posting.
Three years, huh. Maybe I'll survive too?? We'll see, I guess.

Seems a big ask huh?!? 3 f***ing years of hell for the possibility of some form of a life at the end of it. Lucky us.

 

[Manny]

Seems a big ask huh?!? 3 f***ing years of hell for the possibility of some form of a life at the end of it. Lucky us.

:/

 

[juliob]

Some say Trent Reznor also has tinnitus.

I think the most inspiring case comes from Ayumi Hamasaki.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_with_tinnitus

 

[Spiral]

Myles Kennedy has it, one of the arguably best singers currently in the rock scene now. Got it from listening to music at ear splitting volumes. Dude has massive singing pipes.

 

[Striveon]

People like that deserve tinnitus and hyperacusis.

View attachment 23300

LMFAOOO his music fire though

 

[JuneStar]

a teacher of mine in high school used to play for blue oyster cult and he had really bad hearing damage, not sure about tinnitus.

 

[coffee_girl]

MGK...such a sensitive thug, *sigh*

And 6xx9xx OMG no please...dude is on another planet of his own.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I heard it has a lot to do with insurance issues. If they say they have tinnitus they maybe won't be allowed to tour.

Believe me, if a musician gets tinnitus the right way, not only will he/she be unable to tour they will probably never be able to perform in a band again. What many people fail to realize, tinnitus comes in many forms and intensities and no two people experience it the same. However, please be in no doubt that when tinnitus becomes loud and intrusive, whether it is constant or fluctuates in intensity it is very debilitating. People like Will-I-am have tinnitus but it's not severe enough for it to become a debilitating problem. If it was, I assure you he would not be able to be around loud music and playing in a band, no matter what type of hearing protection he uses!

Michael

 

[uae96]

Believe me, if a musician gets tinnitus the right way, not only will he/she be unable to tour they will probably never be able to perform in a band again. What many people fail to realize, tinnitus comes in many forms and intensities and no two people experience it the same. However, please be in no doubt that when tinnitus becomes loud and intrusive, whether it is constant or fluctuates in intensity it is very debilitating. People like Will-I-am have tinnitus but it is not severe enough for it to become a debilitating problem if it was, I assure you he would not be able to be around loud music and playing in a band no matter what type of hearing protection he uses!

Michael

Michael I agree with you.
Looking at Chris Martin and other singers who got tinnitus decades ago, I'm sure they must have their tinnitus reach an intrusive level by now with all these speakers and their studios making music all the time, even with protection their tinnitus should get worse, maybe they have some sort of treatment we don't know about?

 

[Taylorslay]

I follow these rappers on Instagram, and all their stories are of them either in a club or in a show every single day!

And I always try to find if they're wearing anything in their ears but no, nothing!

How? Just what do they eat, what do they do?

I want to know, I understand they may have tinnitus but at some point they should also develop hyperacusis.

That's not fair

I'm pretty sure a lot of stars have Tinnitus and hearing loss. Think about it this way, everyone (a lot of people) wants to be a star. Imagine having the whole star dome, singing extravaganza ruined if celebrities started coming out with their tinnitus and hearing loss. I garentee its a common issue but celebrities probably don't want to risk it by ruining their image. Take rappers for example, a lot of their songs have language pertaining to drugs, party and women. But imagine the actual REAL effect that lifestyle has on you not only emotionally but physically. If people knew the actual truth why would they continue to listen to music advertising an unhealthy and UNREALISTIC lifestyle?

 

[coffee_girl]

I bet with their billions they can afford really nice hearing aids

 

[uae96]

I bet with their billions they can afford really nice hearing aids

No need for billions, tens of thousands

 

[Ed209]

Think about this question logically and look at the statistical significance amongst the general public. Forget the fame part of the equation.

We all know that around 15% of the population have some form of tinnitus. I've read numerous times that the percentage for debilitating tinnitus is somewhere around 1-2%. Obviously, this is also correlated with age and other factors. A study here shows that 2.4% of people answered "yes" to the question: are you plagued by tinnitus all day?

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226803215_Epidemiology_of_Tinnitus_in_Adults

With this in mind, just look at the number of famous musicians and actors around the world. Are we seriously suggesting none of them have debilitating tinnitus and/or hyperacusis? That would be quite a significant anomaly. Of course there are famous people that are badly affected by this condition. Whether they talk about it or not is another question entirely.

To suggest that only regular folk suffer with debilitating tinnitus, and/or hyperacusis, is highly short sighted and ignorant.

 

[Ed209]

Believe me, if a musician gets tinnitus the right way, not only will he/she be unable to tour they will probably never be able to perform in a band again.

What is the right way, Michael? We don't even know what another person hears, so how can we judge what celebrities are going through?

I know of many cases that sound really bad to me. Maybe what they are going through would crush you, but they carry on? The pressure to save face is huge in that world, so it's no wonder many of them are on a cocktail of Benzos.

My point is that it is arrogant for anyone to assume to know what a whole demographic of people are going through. We have no clue!

 

[Taylorslay]

I'm pretty sure a lot of stars have Tinnitus and hearing loss. Think about it this way, everyone (a lot of people) wants to be a star. Imagine having the whole star dome, singing extravaganza ruined if celebrities started coming out with their tinnitus and hearing loss. I garentee its a common issue but celebrities probably don't want to risk it by ruining their image. Take rappers for example, a lot of their songs have language pertaining to drugs, party and women. But imagine the actual REAL effect that lifestyle has on you not only emotionally but physically. If people knew the actual truth why would they continue to listen to music advertising an unhealthy and UNREALISTIC lifestyle?

I guess what I was trying to say here is that "Reality doesn't sell".

 

[Flamingo1]

I'm pretty sure a lot of stars have Tinnitus and hearing loss. Think about it this way, everyone (a lot of people) wants to be a star. Imagine having the whole star dome, singing extravaganza ruined if celebrities started coming out with their tinnitus and hearing loss. I garentee its a common issue but celebrities probably don't want to risk it by ruining their image.

It certainly takes the glamor out of the life of a rock star!

 

[Berik]

Some say Trent Reznor also has tinnitus.

I think the most inspiring case comes from Ayumi Hamasaki.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_with_tinnitus

"I still recall the taste of your tearshttps://genius.com/Nine-inch-nails-something-i-can-never-have-lyrics#note-13207854
Echoing your voice just like the ringing in my ears"

 

[Juan]

I follow these rappers on Instagram, and all their stories are of them either in a club or in a show every single day!

And I always try to find if they're wearing anything in their ears but no, nothing!

How? Just what do they eat, what do they do?

I want to know, I understand they may have tinnitus but at some point they should also develop hyperacusis.

That's not fair

There are lots of famous people with hearing issues or tinnitus. Just the first ones that come to my mind: Jodie Foster, Halle Berry, Lars Ullrich (Metallica's drummer), Chris Martin from Coldplay, and of course Pete Townshend

 

[Michael Leigh]

What is the right way, Michael? We don't even know what another person hears, so how can we judge what celebrities are going through?

I do not wish you get into a debate with you about this @Ed209. I will answer your question and will end it there. I have many years experience with "noise induced" tinnitus and have a type that is considered to be very rare, according to my ENT consultant and Hearing Therapist. I agree with this having corresponded and counselled quite a few people with tinnitus and haven't yet met anyone with my type of tinnitus. It can be completely silent, mild, moderate, severe and extremely severe requiring me to take clonazepam to reduce it's intensity but not always.

Therefore, I have a good understanding of the way tinnitus can affect a person. It is quite true no-one can know what another person is feeling. However, I know this: If tinnitus is loud and intrusive enough and I don't care who the person is, and the level is sustained, fluctuates or is intermittent; it becomes seriously debilitating to the point where a person cannot function properly or carry out everyday normal tasks without it being extremely difficult. If tinnitus is loud and intrusive enough the people, that regularly post in this forum for instance wouldn't even want to turn on their computer not to mention post messages.

So I know the musicians that are discussed in this thread and elsewhere on this forum have tinnitus but it is not "loud and intrusive" to the point where it become seriously debilitating, otherwise they would not be able to perform their work. Believe me I know what I am talking about. This is what I mean by having tinnitus the right way. Anyone that has loud intrusive tinnitus and this has been sustained or experienced over a long period of time a year or more knows what having tinnitus the right way means. It seriously affects a person's mental and emotional wellbeing.

Michael

 

[Flamingo1]

What about singers like Cher, Madonna and Lady Gaga who have been performing for years? Do you think the have tinnitus as well? Even with ear protection, all that noise exposure would add up I would think!

 

[uae96]

What about singers like Cher, Madonna and Lady Gaga who have been performing for years? Do you think the have tinnitus as well? Even with ear protection, all that noise exposure would add up I would think!

I heard somewhere Lady Gaga has tinnitus.

 

[john paul]

I found a thread about Tinnitus on a forum called gear slutz. Mainly music producers but musicians as well but there is over 20/30 pages of different people all chiming in saying they suffer from it. Its absolutely rife in the music world. Electric guitars and drums are absolutely the biggest threat but a lot of producers get it listening on headphones at silly volumes to hear every little thing possible in the mix. It boggles my mind that loud music is not seen as the threat to us all that it really is.

 

[IAmCalifornia]

"I learned to live with it a long time ago. I put up with it – I just talk really loudly over it. I'm proud of it. Anyone who doesn't have ringing in their ears can f*** right off"

~Liam Gallagher

Wish I had his attitude towards tinnitus

 

[Ed209]

So I know the musicians that are discussed in this thread and elsewhere on this forum have tinnitus but it is not "loud and intrusive" to the point where it become seriously debilitating, otherwise they would not be able to perform their work.

I know you don't want to debate it, but how do you know? There is no way you can know what they hear in their heads and how they feel.

If tinnitus is loud and intrusive enough the people, that regularly post in this forum for instance wouldn't even want to turn on their computer not to mention post messages.

Again, how do you know? You are basing this entirely on your experience. The most severe cases post here all the time.

All I know, based on the facts, is that the demographics most at risk are military personnel, construction workers, and musicians. This means there's a higher statistical significance amongst these groups. You can't say there aren't any famous people who have it severe enough when the evidence suggests otherwise. Paul Gray's case alone should highlight this. How many more are in his position, but are just sucking it up? He is most certainly not an isolated case. Craig Gill carried on touring with severe tinnitus for 20 years before he hanged himself. By your definition he never suffered because he was still working. When you are that successful it's not as easy to stop permanently. Many stars take time off and they either admit it's because of the torment of tinnitus or they likely make up some other excuse to save face.

I know too many pro musicians who suffer with tinnitus to make a blanket statement that none of them have it bad enough. It's insulting to any professional who may be reading these posts. Our very own @Jazzer, and many others on here, carried on playing with debilitating tinnitus for quite some time.

Anyone can have a catastrophic case. Fame does not shield people.

 

[Sam Bridge]

I found a thread about Tinnitus on a forum called gear slutz. Mainly music producers but musicians as well but there is over 20/30 pages of different people all chiming in saying they suffer from it. Its absolutely rife in the music world. Electric guitars and drums are absolutely the biggest threat but a lot of producers get it listening on headphones at silly volumes to hear every little thing possible in the mix. It boggles my mind that loud music is not seen as the threat to us all that it really is.

I think I've seen that thread before, do they generally seem to treat tinnitus as a minor annoyance and carry on with gigging etc?

 

[Tinker Bell]

I know you don't want to debate it, but how do you know? There is no way you can know what they hear in their heads and how they feel.

Again, how do you know? You are basing this entirely on your experience. The most severe cases post here all the time.

All I know, based on the facts, is that the demographics most at risk are military personnel, construction workers, and musicians. This means there's a higher statistical significance amongst these groups. You can't say there aren't any famous people who have it severe enough when the evidence suggests otherwise. Paul Gray's case alone should highlight this. How many more are in his position, but are just sucking it up? He is most certainly not an isolated case. Craig Gill carried on touring with severe tinnitus for 20 years before he hanged himself. By your definition he never suffered because he was still working. When you are that successful it's not as easy to stop permanently. Many stars take time off and they either admit it's because of the torment of tinnitus or they likely make up some other excuse to save face.

I know too many pro musicians who suffer with tinnitus to make a blanket statement that none of them have it bad enough. It's insulting to any professional who may be reading these posts. Our very own @Jazzer, and many others on here, carried on playing with debilitating tinnitus for quite some time.

Anyone can have a catastrophic case. Fame does not shield people.

Very well said. We all have different experiences that shape how we cope with tinnitus. No two people will have exactly the same coping methods, this is incredibly evident throughout this forum.

Having tinnitus for many years does not make one an expert on everyone's tinnitus; it only makes us an expert on our own tinnitus.

 

[Jcb]

I know you don't want to debate it, but how do you know? There is no way you can know what they hear in their heads and how they feel.



Again, how do you know? You are basing this entirely on your experience. The most severe cases post here all the time.

All I know, based on the facts, is that the demographics most at risk are military personnel, construction workers, and musicians. This means there's a higher statistical significance amongst these groups. You can't say there aren't any famous people who have it severe enough when the evidence suggests otherwise. Paul Gray's case alone should highlight this. How many more are in his position, but are just sucking it up? He is most certainly not an isolated case. Craig Gill carried on touring with severe tinnitus for 20 years before he hanged himself. By your definition he never suffered because he was still working. When you are that successful it's not as easy to stop permanently. Many stars take time off and they either admit it's because of the torment of tinnitus or they likely make up some other excuse to save face.

I know too many pro musicians who suffer with tinnitus to make a blanket statement that none of them have it bad enough. It's insulting to any professional who may be reading these posts. Our very own @Jazzer, and many others on here, carried on playing with debilitating tinnitus for quite some time.

Anyone can have a catastrophic case. Fame does not shield people.

Well said Ed, be careful though, you don't want to disagree with Michael too much or challenge his views/opinions or you'll end up on his "highly coveted" ignore list for being too god damn rude for challenging him

PS. I've always loved music, had piano and violin lessons when I was younger but couldn't quite grasp the whole "in tune" part of it... Man I couldn't even master the bloody percussion triangle.

 

[Spiral]

I'd assume that just like anybody else, they habituate. They can also probably afford the best hearing protection on the market.

I don't think that we can really get in the head of professional musicians on scope and severity of tinnitus, but there has got to be some coping mechanisms that they use to deal with it we could borrow.