Tinnitus & hearing loss for pop superstar

For those in musical careers, having good hearing is an essential component in success. However, singers and musicians can also experience a wide range of hearing issues due to their working conditions and sometimes even find themselves with permanent and career-halting damage. KT Tunstall is a well-known singer-songwriter who has recently announced that she has had to put her imminent tour plans on hold as a result of developing hearing issues in her right ear.

Hearing loss in the music industry

KT Tunstall isn’t alone as a musician who has ended up with some serious issues with her hearing. Many in the industry, from Mick Fleetwood to Neil Young and Will.I.am, have reportedly suffered from problems like tinnitus as well as a whole range of other hearing-related conditions. In fact, Garbage singer Shirley Manson told Rolling Stone in 2005 that every musician she knew had some kind of problem with their hearing. It’s likely that daily exposure to amplified music is a big part of the problem.

KT Tunstall hearing loss

This isn’t the first time that KT Tunstall has found herself facing issues with her hearing. During a 2018 tour she lost all hearing in her left ear and it’s this that has caused the singer to postpone her upcoming tour until she is in a more stable position. The singer has said that the hearing loss she experienced previously was attributable to exposure to loud music without any adequate protection. When interviewed, she mentioned taking little care of her hearing in earlier years, from being a committed clubber to turning up the volume on bad monitors at early gigs. 

Tinnitus and hearing loss

As a result of these decisions earlier in her life KT Tunstall then suffered high-frequency hearing loss in her left ear around a decade ago as well as developing tinnitus that could be temporary or permanent. Tinnitus is a noise experienced in the head or ears that often sounds like ringing and can be very challenging for musicians. This then led to the sudden sensory hearing loss during her 2018 tour - and tinnitus in the same ear even though she couldn’t hear out of it. Since then she has clearly adapted to these constraints, continuing to write music, record and perform, even feeling confident enough to plan another tour. However, recently developing tinnitus in her right ear, has raised the potential problem of suffering similar hearing loss as previously and it’s this that has caused the singer to put tour plants on hold.

Prioritising physical health

KT Tunstall’s decision to postpone her tour in order to prioritise her health is similar to the very public way in which gymnast Simone Biles recently stepped back from an Olympic event to protect her mental health. The singer has said that she will create a new touring schedule that puts less pressure on her hearing by creating more opportunities for rest in between shows. Although this is clearly a disappointing time for KT Tunstall the decision to focus on her health can only be a good one in the long run. It’s a positive step not just for her but also in terms of setting an example to all those fans who may also be suffering similar hearing problems due to a love of music and feel like they need permission to put their health first.