Celebrities with Tinnitus

William Shatner

William Shatner, renowned for his role as Captain James T. Kirk in the original "Star Trek" series, has openly discussed his battle with tinnitus, a condition characterized by persistent ringing in the ears. His tinnitus began after standing too close to a special effects explosion while filming the "Star Trek" episode "Arena" in 1967. Shatner described the experience as tormenting, causing significant distress until he found effective treatment.

The explosion left Shatner with a constant ringing in his ears, a condition he has compared to television static. Over the years, he sought various treatments and eventually found relief through tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT), which uses sound therapy and counseling to help patients habituate to the noise.

His journey with tinnitus led him to become a spokesperson for the American Tinnitus Association (ATA), an organization dedicated to supporting individuals with tinnitus and advocating for further research into the condition. Shatner has credited the ATA with providing crucial support that helped him manage his symptoms and improve his quality of life.

As an advocate, Shatner has worked to raise awareness about tinnitus and encourage others suffering from the condition to seek help. His efforts include participating in videos and interviews where he shares his experience and the coping strategies that have helped him manage the symptoms effectively​

Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton, has also spoken candidly about his experiences with this condition. The legendary guitarist attributes his tinnitus to years of exposure to loud music throughout his storied career. Clapton has described the relentless ringing in his ears as a significant challenge, affecting both his personal life and his ability to perform.

Clapton has emphasized the crucial role of hearing protection, particularly for musicians and fans regularly exposed to high decibel levels. To manage his condition during live performances, he uses in-ear monitors that help control the volume and prevent further hearing damage. This precaution has become essential for Clapton, allowing him to continue performing despite his hearing issues.

Clapton's advocacy for hearing protection extends beyond his own practices. He actively encourages others in the music industry to take similar precautions to avoid the detrimental effects of prolonged loud noise exposure. By sharing his story, Clapton aims to raise awareness about the risks associated with high-volume environments and the importance of protecting one's hearing to maintain long-term auditory health​

Chris Martin

Chris Martin, the lead singer of Coldplay, developed tinnitus due to prolonged exposure to loud music during his concerts. To protect his hearing during performances, Martin uses custom-made earplugs, which are designed to reduce the volume of loud music while maintaining sound clarity.

Beyond personal precautions, Martin has actively participated in campaigns aimed at raising awareness about hearing protection, particularly among young people. His advocacy emphasizes the importance of protecting one's hearing in noisy environments to prevent conditions like tinnitus and hearing loss, which can have a significant impact on one's quality of life.

Martin's proactive stance on hearing protection includes supporting initiatives that educate the public on the risks of loud noise exposure. He collaborates with various organizations to spread the message that proper hearing protection can significantly reduce the risk of tinnitus and other hearing-related issues. His efforts highlight the crucial need for awareness and preventative measures in safeguarding auditory health.

Barbra Streisand

Barbra Streisand, the renowned singer and actress, has been living with tinnitus since she was nine years old. She first disclosed her condition in a 1985 interview with Barbara Walters, where she described experiencing a sudden ringing in her ears while in a school classroom, a sound that has persisted throughout her life. Initially, Streisand was hesitant to seek medical help, fearing the diagnosis. However, once she consulted an audiologist, she learned how to manage her tinnitus effectively. Despite the constant buzzing in her ears, Streisand has continued to perform and record music, demonstrating remarkable resilience and adaptability in her career​.

Pete Townshend

As the guitarist for The Who, Pete Townshend's extensive exposure to loud music has indeed led to both tinnitus and hearing loss. This condition has been attributed to various incidents, notably the explosion of Keith Moon's drum kit on "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" in 1967 and the consistently high volume levels at The Who's concerts, one of which was recorded at 126 decibels and recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the loudest concert ever.

Townshend has been a vocal advocate for hearing protection, emphasizing the risks of prolonged exposure to high decibel levels. He has taken significant steps to address and mitigate his hearing issues, such as using specially designed hearing protection during live performances and employing computer programs in the studio to aid with high-frequency sounds beyond his hearing range​.

In addition to his personal adaptations, Townshend actively supports the Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers (HEAR) organization, contributing to its mission of raising awareness about hearing loss and promoting preventive measures for musicians and the general public​​.