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Mysterious Ear Noise and Other Symptoms of Tinnitus

25th September, 2010 - Posted by health news - No Comments

Back in the 60s and 70s, hearing experts were already telling us that listening to blaring rock music for hours on end might eventually lead to a condition called tinnitus or “ringing in the ears.” It appears those doctors knew what they were talking about.

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 generations that came before. There’s more and more evidence that years of exposure to loud music can definitely damage your hearing.

For proof, just check out the roster of well known rock musicians from the 60s and 70s who now have constant ringing in the ears and other ear noise caused by tinnitus. Here’s a partial list of rock and roll royalty who have admitted to having tinnitus and other hearing problems.

Start with Pete Townshend and John Entwhistle of The Who. Townshend is completely deaf in one ear, a condition caused by the combination of an onstage explosion, loud stage music, and highly pumped up volume in headsets as he listened to playbacks of studio cuts.

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.”

Others who have had at least partial hearing loss or related problems include George Harrison of the Beatles, Neil Young, Jeff Beck, Ted Nugent, Huey Lewis and Bono.

Rockers from other groups (Metallica, My Bloody Valentine, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers) now hear noises in their ears too.

Musicians aren’t the only entertainers and celebrities who suffer from hearing problems.

Both William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy have tinnitus-like hearing problems suffered due to a prop that exploded on the set during the filming of a Star Trek episode back in the 1960s.

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!” .

Still others have had ear noise since before they were famous.

Barbra Streisand has ascribed her volatile temperament to the tinnitus from which she has had 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 suffered multiple ear infections and kidney infections when she was little that she admits she is “partially deaf” as a result.

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.

Having tinnitus is not an symptom that you’re going to lose your hearing entirely. But if you hear constant ringing in the ears, or noises like a whirr, hum, buzz, whoosh or any sound that shouldn’t be there, you should definitely make an appointment to get a hearing exam as soon as you can.

If you want additional information on topics related to this article, click on ear noises and constant ringing in the ears. Neal Kennedy is a retired TV anchor, medical reporter and radio talk show host. He is a frequent contributor to Ear Health Information, a resource website about ear health and wellness.