It’s not just you — hearing loss is an issue the world over, and you’ll likely be shocked to know there are many prominent celebrities who wear hearing aids, as well as average Joannes like us.
If you find yourself hearing a strange ringing in your ears, turning up the TV or music louder than before, or realize you’re not quite getting what people are saying to you, you’re in good company. It’s estimate that there are 430 million people out there who would benefit from some sort of hearing technology.
Hearing loss doesn’t always have to do with age. As with good skin, you can do a lot of damage to your hearing when you’re young. The World Health Organization estimates the more than one billion young adults are at risk of permanent, avoidable hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices. Makes you want to turn down those Air Pods, doesn’t it?
But all hearing problems are certainly not self-inflicted. Some people are destined from the womb to have hearing challenges. Disease and infection can take their toll. Accidents also play a big part in hearing loss. Even smoking, malnutrition and ear wax buildup can affect your ability to hear.
Fortunately, hearing loss does not damn you to years of suffocating silence. Hearing technology has become so advanced that tinnitus and other hearing challenges can be almost eliminated, and the number of celebrities who wear hearing aids can attest to that.
If you suspect your hearing is not what it should be, you might want to take a look at the website ReSound.com, which can give you an excellent idea of how to cope with hearing loss.
ReSound’s Katie Ogden has also given us a surprising list of high profile celebrities who wear hearing aids, and provided information on how their hearing challenges occurred. Nice to know you’re not alone — the rich and famous cope with the same issues you do. Take a look:
5 Celebrities Who Wear Hearing Aids
1. Paul McCartney
The Beatles singer and songwriter Sir Paul McCartney suffers from hearing challenges following a long and successful career in the music industry, creating and performing music.
Thankfully for his global fans of all ages, McCartney continues to make music 57 years after The Beatles first-ever U.S. No. 1 hit, relying on the use of the latest hearing aid technology to allow him to do so.
2. Jodie Foster
Academy Award winning actress, director and producer Jodie Foster has suffered from hearing loss and vertigo for a number of years, and has previously been quoted brushing off her disability, referring to it as “just this hearing loss thing.”
Relying on the use of an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid, has enabled former child star Foster to enjoy an immensely successful acting career, delivering notable and award-winning performances in blockbusters like The Silence of the Lambs, The Mauritanian, Panic Room and more.
3. Rob Lowe
80’s heartthrob and actor Rob Lowe has suffered from complete hearing loss in his right ear since infancy, after having an undiagnosed infection that was suspected to most likely have been mumps.
Lowe has since achieved a successful career on-screen and said that the loss hasn’t affected his life as he doesn’t know any different. However he noted that it has become increasingly more difficult to listen to friends and family members when sitting in loud restaurants.
4. Halle Berry
Actress/director/producer Halle Berry suffers from significant hearing loss and has been seen wearing hearing aids since around 2006. Her problems occurred as a result of domestic violence, when a former boyfriend punctured her eardrum, resulting in an 80% loss of hearing in her ear.
Alongside her incredible acting career, the Academy Award winner has used her experience to raise awareness for victims of abuse and supports the Jenesse Center domestic violence intervention and prevention program.
5. Whoopi Goldberg
Actor and comedian Whoopi Goldberg suffers from low-frequency hearing loss, a much less common type that makes it difficult for her to hear lower-pitched tones.
Goldberg attributes her loss to years of listening to loud music when she was young, and is now an advocate for hearing protection.