10 Famous People You Didn’t Know Have Hearing Loss

If you have hearing loss, are deaf, hard of hearing, wear a hearing aid, or have tinnitus, it can be difficult to find people in the public eye to whom you can relate.

A large number of actors and musicians suffer from hearing impairment. They, like you, have had to overcome a variety of challenges, ranging from tinnitus to complete deafness. Some have had problems since birth, while others have discovered that loud noise exposure during their careers is the source of their problems.

In any case, despite suffering from a variety of hearing loss issues, these celebrities have not let their ears hinder their success:

Whoopi Goldberg, Actor/Comic

The well-known actor and co-host of The View has very openly discussed her hearing loss and wearing hearing aids. She attributes her hearing loss to listening to very loud music too close to her ears for too long. Today, she is an advocate for using your portable listening devices at moderate volumes so you can keep enjoying your favorite music.

Gerard Butler, Actor

The Scottish actor best known for his roles in 300 and P.S. I Love You, has hearing loss and tinnitus in his right ear due to surgery he had as a child. He says it’s that surgery that was also responsible for his crooked smile.

Halle Barry, Actress

Although Barry is a Type 1 Diabetic, which gives her a higher risk of having hearing loss, that’s not what caused her hearing loss. Due to an abusive relationship, the actress lost 80% of the hearing in her right ear. She is now a spokesperson for standing up against violence and uses her story to inspire other women.

Phil Collins, Musician and Songwriter

Best known as the drummer and lead singer of Genesis (or for the younger crowd the guy who sang in the movie Tarzan), Collins took a hiatus from music due to hearing loss in his left ear and some other medical issues. He has since returned focusing more on composing.

Rob Lowe, Actor

A childhood infection, suspected to be undiagnosed mumps, rendered an award-winning actor dead in his right ear.

“I don’t know any differently,” he said in an interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “It’s funny as I get older, it’s harder and harder to be in, like, really loud restaurants drive me ballistic. That’s tough for me. Other than that, it’s something I don’t think about. Other than I wish I could have heard stereo. That would have been fun.”

He spoke to Dr Oz in 2016 about his career and his condition.

Chris Martin, Singer

The Coldplay frontman reveals that spending his teen years listening to very loud music is likely behind his tinnitus condition.

“Looking after your ears is unfortunately something you don’t think about until there’s a problem,” said Martin in a BBC interview. “I’ve had tinnitus for about 10 years, and since I started protecting my ears it hasn’t got any worse. But I wish I’d thought about it earlier.

“Now we always use molded filter plugs, or in-ear monitors, to try and protect our ears.”

He mentions that his young children wear hearing protection when they come to his concerts. He is now involved with the UK charity Action On Hearing Loss as a result.

Bill Clinton, Politician

Even the former president of The United States isn’t immune to hearing problems. Bill Clinton has noise-induced hearing loss, which stems from years of loud political rallies, the use of rifles as well as listening to loud music growing up. Bill now wears hearing aids, as he has trouble following conversations in a crowded room.

Jodie Foster, Actress

Jodie Foster is an actress who has starred in movies such as The Silence Of The Lambs, The Brave One, and Taxi Driver.

Jodie suffers from hearing loss and has been seen wearing hearing aids on many occasions. Despite this, Jodie has gone on to act and direct many productions, throughout her very successful career.

Millie Bobby Brown, Actress

At the tender age of just 15, Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown has never taken an acting class or singing lesson in her entire life.

Millie was born with partial hearing loss in one of her ears, which was treatment was unsuccessful in resolving. She is now completely deaf in that ear.

Even though she cannot fully hear herself when performing, she does not allow this to stop her, telling Variety: “I just started to sing, and if I sound bad, I don’t care, because I’m just doing what I love.”

Kiefer Sutherland, Actor

Years of starring in action films along with loud gunshots and special effects have taken a toll on Kiefer Sutherland’s hearing.

Kiefer suffers from complete hearing loss in one ear, and partial hearing loss in the other. As a result, he has to have cues to complete his set lines. Despite being partially deaf, he continues to be busy with upcoming films and projects, showing that you can continue to be a successful actor even with hearing problems.

CONCLUSION

No matter what you choose to do in your life, don’t let hearing loss hold you back. Like these celebrities, you can achieve many things despite your hearing loss. If you do struggle with hearing, there is no shame in getting the appropriate treatment.

Get hearing aids today and become part of an accomplished group of people. If you or your loved one is suffering from this condition,Contact a professional near you in case you suspect you have a hearing loss