January 2nd, 2019 | Updated on June 9th, 2023
Hearing loss is an incredibly common condition – it is estimated that approximately 20 percent of Americans have hearing loss, according to the Hearing Loss Association of America. That is, more than 48 million Americans that have some form of hearing damage.
There is no question that hearing loss can make living a normal life a challenge, but there is no reason why you should allow it to go untreated or to interfere with your life. Recent technology enhancements have made rechargeable hearing aids very popular because of the advantages they offer. If you need some inspiration to push you to get your hearing loss treated, here are six celebrities who have successfully overcome the challenge of hearing loss.
1. William Shatner
William Shatner, who rose to fame playing Captain Kirk in the original Star Trek series in 1960s, suffers from tinnitus. According to WebMD, tinnitus is the sensation of hearing ringing, hissing, buzzing, chirping, whistling, or other sounds that is a common symptom of hearing loss.
He says it’s due to a special effect explosion that went off too close to his head during the filming of the iconic series.
2. Pete Townshend
Peter Townshend, the lead guitarist for the rock band The Who, founded the nonprofit hearing advocacy group H.E.A.R. (Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers) due to the hearing loss he suffers from as a result of mega-decibel concerts and practice sessions with the band.
Instead of letting hearing loss stand in his way, he now uses computer systems and engineers to help him with his music in the studio.
3. Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg is an Academy Award winner who suffers from hearing loss. She attributes her hearing loss to spending years listening to loud music. She recently opened up about her hearing issues on an episode of “The View,” where she confessed she wears hearing aids at home.
She has encouraged her fans to take care of their hearing and get themselves checked out and get fitted for the right Miracle-Ear device for you if you suffer from hearing loss.
4. Halle Berry
Many people don’t know this, but Academy Award-winning actress, Halle Berry, has lost 80 percent of her hearing in one ear as a result of domestic abuse. When she was younger, she was hit on the side of her head by a boyfriend, which resulted in her losing her hearing in one ear.
Since then, she has dedicated herself to speaking out against domestic violence and uses her condition to advocate for positive change.
5. Bill Clinton
Former president Bill Clinton was diagnosed with high-frequency hearing loss while he was still in office. After the diagnosis, he was fitted with a completely-in-canal hearing aid.
The former president attributes his hearing loss to the years he was exposed to loud noise and rock music, sound from hunting rifles, and from attending political rallies. He was able to bring public attention to hearing loss and the many benefits of hearing aids while he was still in office.
6. Thomas Edison
The world’s most famous inventor described himself as deaf, but in reality, he was just really hard of hearing. He attributed his loss of hearing to an incident where he was boxed on the ears when he was only twelve.
He often told reporters that he was working on a hearing aid, but it seems like he found several advantages to being deaf, commenting that it helped him work.
If you’re suffering from hearing loss, it’s essential that you get checked by a professional so that you can get fitted with the right hearing aid.
