Unfortunately, there can be a stigma attached to getting hearing aids. Many people put off getting hearing aids because they think hearing aids will make them look, or feel, old. If the advances in hearing aid technology aren’t enough to get you or a loved one over that stigma hump, below is a short list of some very famous people who have suffered from hearing loss.
Ludwig van Beethoven: One of the greatest music composers of all time, suffered from a severe case of tinnitus for many years. Eventually he became completely deaf for the second half of his life. It got to the point that Beethoven could only communicate with people if they wrote down what they wanted to say. Many of these one-sided conversations still exist, and have been used by historians to study Beethoven’s life.
President Bill Clinton: During his second term in office, the President was fitted for two hearing aids. He stated that all those years at band practice as a kid finally caught up to him. His hearing loss wasn’t severe, but he had trouble understanding what others were saying.
Thomas Edison: The famous inventor lost his hearing around the age of 12. He is quoted as saying that he didn’t mind losing his hearing because it allowed him to focus more on books. Since he was only formally educated until the age of 12, it was this love of reading that led him to become the great inventor we all know today.
Derrick Coleman: Having lost his hearing at a young age, this boy used the bullying he received as motivation to become a better football player. It clearly worked, as he became the first deaf offensive player, and the first deaf Super Bowl champion.
George Martin: Even those who work with musicians are susceptible to hearing loss. Martin, producer for The Beatles and often referred to as the “Fifth Beatle” recently retired because his ears no longer had the peak performance needed for his production work.
Will.i.am: Founding member of The Black Eyed Peas will.i.am has released many successful albums, such as Monkey Business and Elephunk, and has produced artists such as Michael Jackson, Rihanna and Britney Spears. He states that every silence is pierced by a painful ringing, which is one of the driving reasons for him to create music every day.
In addition to the above list, many musicians and actors suffer from different degrees of hearing loss. Some notable names include: Whoopi Goldberg, Leslie Nelson, Halle Berry, Lou Ferrigno, Rob Lowe, William Shatner, Phil Collins, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend, Ozzy Osbourne, Brian Wilson, and Jeff Beck.
Hearing loss is not something found only in the elderly. If you think you have hearing loss, get a hearing test and see if a hearing aid is right for you.