September 17th, 2010
Ringing in the Ears: Am I Getting Tinnitus?
Back in the 60s and 70s, doctors already suspected that listening to blaring rock music could eventually lead to hearing ear noises like constant ringing in the ears from tinnitus. It appears those doctors were right.
We’re now learning that aging boomers who grew up and lived their adult lives listening to loud music are more likely to have hearing problems than their parents, grandparents and previous generations. There’s more and more reason to believe that years of exposure to loud music will result in hearing loss as you get older.
Just check out the list of “veteran” rock musicians who now have to live with constant ringing in the ears and other ear noise caused by tinnitus. Just look at the celebrity rockers who now hear ear noises that won’t go away are.
Start with The Who’s Pete Townshend and John Entwhistle. Townshend has completely lost his hearing in one ear. He attributes his deafness to onstage explosions and sound effects, loud music played at concerts, and super-high volume in headsets as he listened to playbacks in the studio.
Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac admitted in a recent Rolling Stone Magazine interview that “The world’s worst is when you find yourself going like Mother Hubbard and cupping your hand behind your ear. I was a major glutton for volume: ‘Gotta feel it, gotta hear it.’ Sooner or later you’re going to pay the reaper.”
Neil Young of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Jeff Beck of the Yardbirds, Ted Nugent, Huey Lewis, and Bono (U2) have suffered tinnitus or other forms of hearing problems during their careers.
Musicians from the well known groups Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers and My Bloody Valentine have also lost at least a percentage of their hearing through the years.
Musicians aren’t the only famous people at hazard from hearing problems.
Star Trek icons William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy have tinnitus-like hearing problems suffered when a prop exploded on the set during the filming of a Star Trek episode more than 40 years ago.
Tinnitus has been a problem for actor and comedian Steve Martin, who acquired it in the mid 80′s while filming a pistol-shooting scene for the movie “¡Three Amigos!” .
Some entertainers and famous individuals have had to cope with ear noises and constant ringing in the ears since they were children.
Barbra Streisand has ascribed her volatile temperament to the tinnitus from which she has suffered since she was seven, according to news sources in the United Kingdom.
Actress Morgan Fairchild had scarlet fever when she was very young. She says she had so many kidney infections and ear infections as a child that she believes caused her to be partially deaf.
Constant ear noises that were probably caused by tinnitus by tinnitus have also affected many other famous people, including the late ABC newsman Peter Jennings, broadcaster Larry King, actor Richard Thomas, and presidents Bill Clinton and the late Ronald Reagan.
If you hear a constant ringing in the ears or ear noises like a hum, hiss, buzz, whoosh or anything else you shouldn’t be hearing, you may have tinnitus. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re you’re going to lose your hearing all together, but it’s definitely a sign that you should visit a specialist to have your hearing checked as soon as possible.
For more information on topics related to this article, click on ear noises and what causes tinnitus. Neal Kennedy is a retired TV anchor, medical reporter and radio talk show host. He is a frequent contributor to Keeping Your Ears Healthy, a resource website about ear health and wellness.