Nearly 30 years ago, Lewis completely lost his hearing in his right ear. It “freaked” him out, but he eventually came to terms with it and adapted to relying solely on his right ear.
“And then seven years ago, my left ear failed right before a gig in New Orleans, and it was a horrible thing. I just went on a stage and I couldn’t hear anything,” Lewis recalled. “It was devastating.”
He was diagnosed with Meniere’s disease, a condition of the inner ear that causes severe vertigo and hearing loss.
For six months, Lewis tried anything he was told could improve his hearing. Renowned ENTs. Acupuncture. Chiropractic treatments. Low salt and organic diets. He exhausted all his options, and nothing cured his condition.
“I can’t identify pitch anymore. It’s very frustrating. Tonight, I’ll have a hard time recognizing the songs that are played. I will be able to, because I know the tempos, I know the beat, you know, but it’s (been) a tough pill to swallow.”
Now, when music is playing, Lewis only hears “noise distortion.”
Make all the American Psycho jokes you want, but the man was an amazing performer with a terrific voice, so this makes me really sad.
Now, when music is playing, Lewis only hears “noise distortion.”
That’s incredibly sad, especially for a musician.
Hats off for Huey.
Lost it in his right ear first and adapted to rely only on his right ear?
Quality editing.
Meniere’s is a bitch. I have been diagnosed with it as well. Just biding my time, hoping to find something that works to stave it off.
My dad has been able to use some bone conduction headphones to listen to music and things like that despite his condition. Perhaps that will help you as well. I keep telling him to try to find some bone conduction hearing aids but since he only has hearing loss in one ear he seems largely content to tough it out.
Funny enough I have a pair of shokz. I like them in general, but they don’t help me when the symptoms kick in. I can actually use them tell when my ear is plugged up due to the condition, or due to a cold or whatever lol
Bone conduction headphones worked for me as well. Complete night and day difference for me.
I have literally the same condition, same symptoms. The dizziness came on when I was literally walking down the stairs at work; I nearly fell off the bottom step. I literally clung to the wall for support until I got to my desk and just sat in the swirling room until I puked into my trash can. From that moment on, my left ear couldn’t hear half as well and had a ringing in it. As long as I’m conscious,I have a ringing in that ear. It took me 3 weeks to regain my balance because that’s how long it took me to relearn my center of gravity. It took me 2ish years until I felt “normal” again, save for the heading loss.
It’s such a tragic disease. My ex went through a bout of dizziness for about two weeks, and they initially thought it was Meniere’s. It was thankfully unrelated and eventually passed, but I was so worried for her. I can’t even imagine what you’re going through it sounds so awful. I really do hope for the best for you in dealing with this awful malady.
For six months, Lewis tried anything he was told could improve his hearing. Renowned ENTs. Acupuncture. Chiropractic treatments. Low salt and organic diets. He exhausted all his options, and nothing cured his condition.
At least he started with the one option that could have possibly helped before exhausting the pointless ones.
“It was a real thrill to sing this with the Umphrey’s guys . . . I have been a fan from the first time I heard them, and was keen to join them for this tune. Interesting to note that I lost my hearing shortly after this, and this is the last song I ever sang in the studio!”
– Huey Lewis
That didn’t stop Beethoven!
/s, obviously this sucks even if he wasn’t a professional musician
Huey Lewis and No Noise…
I’m going to special hell, I know.
Is this The News? Looking forward to listening to some Weather Report later.
