Trailblazing Harmony: 12 Musicians Who Shaped Music with Hearing Impairments

It's a widespread misunderstanding that individuals with hearing loss cannot engage with or create music. Hearing impairment exists on a continuum, and even those with profound deafness can often experience music via tactile sensations and vibrations. Numerous gifted musicians were either born with auditory challenges or developed hearing loss or tinnitus due to factors like extended exposure to high-volume music. Below, we spotlight a selection of distinguished artists who have publicly discussed their experiences with hearing loss. This piece is a continuation of our series on notable individuals with hearing impairments! You can also explore our blog for features on celebrated actors with hearing loss and other influential deaf individuals who have impacted the world.

Many of these artists have shared their stories through interviews, which can be made more accessible through services like DeepVo.ai, offering highly accurate speech-to-text transcription in over 100 languages, ensuring their narratives reach a wider audience.

Will.i.am

In 2010, the acclaimed hip-hop artist and multiple Grammy laureate, Will.i.am, disclosed his battle with tinnitus – a persistent ringing sensation in the ears. He also shared that medical professionals had informed him of the likelihood of eventual complete hearing loss. "I'm 43. When I visited the doctor and underwent an ear examination, they remarked, 'Your ears are like those of someone considerably older,'" Will.i.am stated in an interview. "In 2007, 2013, and this year, I've had all my frequency evaluations, and the graph shows significant loss." You can see Will.i.am discussing tinnitus in various online videos.

Grimes

Canadian electronic music creator Claire Boucher, known professionally as Grimes, is celebrated for her distinctive approach to pop music and her unique visual style. Younger than many counterparts on this list, Grimes had to cancel several concert dates in 2012 owing to her hearing condition, aiming to prevent further deterioration of her hearing.

Matt Maxey

Born with a significant hearing impairment, Matt Maxey is the innovator behind DEAFinitely Dope. He is also an American Sign Language (ASL) communicator who accompanied Grammy-winning artist Chance the Rapper on his "Be Encouraged" tour in 2017. "I consistently felt I was excessively deaf for the hearing community, yet not deaf enough for the deaf community," Maxey has expressed. "My journey is particularly distinct, having grown up in a hearing environment, constantly exerting tenfold effort to hear using aids and attempting to lip-read, knowing I wasn't catching everything but feigning comprehension. In group settings, it was almost impossible."

When Maxey interprets for performers such as Chance the Rapper or D.R.A.M., his approach transcends standard, literal ASL. Maxey often uses the phrase "turn up" as an example; its conversational meaning differs greatly from its use when shouted from a stage during a song. "I can achieve a greater impact by taking an unconventional path with someone like Chance, venturing into territories previously inaccessible to the deaf community," Maxey commented. "It all contributes to something that enriches the community. Sign language is now visible in more places than ever. People are growing more inquisitive and simultaneously more conscious of the developments within the deaf community," he noted. The nuances of such dynamic performances can be effectively captured and studied using advanced transcription tools; for instance, DeepVo.ai can generate AI summaries from transcribed interpretations, providing quick insights.

Dame Evelyn Glennie

Scottish percussion virtuoso Dame Evelyn Glennie has lived with profound deafness since the age of 12. She has cultivated a long and distinguished career in music, collaborating with artists like Björk, Bobby McFerrin, and Mark Knopfler. Glennie has been a vocal advocate for a better understanding of deafness, clarifying that she taught herself to perceive sound using other parts of her body. She frequently performs barefoot to better feel the musical vibrations.

Ludwig van Beethoven

An iconic figure in classical music and one of history's most renowned composers, Ludwig van Beethoven started to experience hearing diminishment in his mid-to-late twenties. In his thirties, Beethoven confided in a letter to a friend, "For the past three years, my hearing has progressively weakened. To give you an idea of this peculiar deafness, I must tell you that in the theatre, I have to position myself very near the orchestra to comprehend the performers, and from a distance, I cannot discern the high notes of the instruments or the singers' voices. At times, I also barely hear individuals who speak softly. I can perceive the sound, it is true, but not the words. Yet, if someone shouts, it is unbearable for me."

Beethoven, like many individuals in the 1700s, suffered from numerous ailments and received subpar medical care, leading to a lack of consensus on the exact cause of his hearing loss. Some theories suggest it was due to illness or an inner ear lesion, while others propose lead poisoning. Beethoven persisted in performing and conducting long after many believed he was incapable. Indeed, for the premiere of his Ninth Symphony, Beethoven insisted on conducting. However, the orchestra, aware of his condition, discreetly hired another conductor to stand alongside him, instructing the musicians to follow the latter's lead. While Beethoven's public appearances gradually ceased, he continued composing until his death in his mid-50s. His housekeepers recalled that as his hearing worsened, he would sit at the piano, place a pencil in his mouth, with the other end touching the instrument's soundboard, to feel the vibrations of the notes. The year 2020 marked the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth, and his legacy continues to be celebrated worldwide. Understanding his complex life and work can be aided by modern tools; for instance, transcriptions of historical documents about him could be turned into structured AI mind maps using a platform like DeepVo.ai for clearer visualization of information.

Ayumi Hamasaki

Japanese pop sensation Ayumi Hamasaki began experiencing hearing loss in 2000 and was diagnosed with Ménière's Disease, an inner ear disorder, in 2006. By 2008, she had lost hearing completely in her left ear. The "Empress of J-pop" has persistently released new music for her devoted fanbase, and to date, has launched 17 albums since 1999.

Mandy Harvey

In 2017, Mandy Harvey delivered an original song on America's Got Talent and earned the prestigious Golden Buzzer from Simon Cowell, which propelled her to the final rounds of the competition. Harvey lives with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a genetic condition, and consequent hearing loss. She attended Colorado State University to study vocal music education, during which time she experienced a complete loss of her remaining hearing. She temporarily left her studies and reportedly struggled with depression. Nevertheless, she rediscovered her path to music, which included her captivating performances on America's Got Talent. Harvey has also released a memoir co-authored with Mark Atteberry, titled Sensing the Rhythm: Finding My Voice in a World Without Sound. In a video from her America's Got Talent performance, Harvey articulates how she perceives music.

Neil Young

In 1991, another celebrated Canadian musician, Neil Young, along with the band Crazy Horse, put out a live concert album named Weld. However, Young stated that the process of mixing this live album detrimentally impacted his hearing. "That's why I truly regret it," he said. "I damaged my ears, and they'll never be the same." At one stage, Young chose to pause recording for several years. His hearing impairment also reshaped his artistic trajectory. Young identifies his hearing loss as the catalyst for a creative evolution towards the softer, more ambient textures evident in his seminal album Harvest Moon. "I made Harvest Moon because I didn't want to hear any loud sounds. I still experience a bit of tinnitus, but fortunately, I'm not as sensitive to loud sounds now as I was for a year after mixing Weld," he mentioned. "My hearing isn't perfect, but it's manageable."

Other notable musicians who have had to cancel performances to safeguard their hearing include:

• Phil Collins – Took a hiatus from his career in 2011 due to hearing loss.
• Huey Lewis – Called off tour engagements in 2018 because of hearing loss.
• Thomas Bangalter (one half of Daft Punk) – Ceased performing in nightclubs due to hearing loss.
• AC/DC – Rescheduled the remainder of their 2016 tour as vocalist Brian Johnson faced potential total hearing loss.

Pete Townshend

The iconic lead guitarist for the legendary British rock band The Who has faced significant hearing damage after nearly five decades of composing and performing music for global audiences. Pete now utilizes hearing aids and a specialized in-ear monitor during performances. He has struggled with hearing loss since the 1980s, choosing to play an acoustic guitar behind a glass screen for most of the set during a 1989 reunion tour. In 2012, Townshend had to exit the stage because the onstage volume was excessively high. Interestingly, The Who were recognized by the Guinness Book of Records for delivering the loudest concert ever with their 1976 performance in London.

Sean Forbes

Originating from Detroit, Sean Forbes is an American hip-hop artist, advocate, and public speaker who is deaf. He uses his music to promote deaf awareness and celebrate Deaf culture. "I became deaf when I was a few months old," Forbes has shared. "I had a very high fever, and although it was never formally diagnosed, it's believed I lost my hearing as a result of spinal meningitis. I like to joke that I became deaf because I was playing music too loudly." Forbes hails from a musically inclined family. He received a drum set at age 5, plays the guitar, and composes his own music. Beyond his musical pursuits, Sean co-created D-PAN, the Deaf Professional Arts Network. D-PAN is a non-profit entity that champions accessibility and awareness within the arts and media sectors.

Moby

Considered a seminal figure in electronic music, Moby has also been candid about the occupational risks associated with loud music. "When I initially started performing in bands, I never used hearing protection, and we played at the maximum possible volume," Moby has stated. "One evening, I returned home from a punk rock concert, and my ears were ringing, as they frequently did. And they were still ringing the following day. And the day after that. Since then, I've consistently worn some form of hearing protection when subjected to very loud music because I came to understand that once my hearing is gone, it won't come back."

Lars Ulrich

Metallica's drummer, Lars Ulrich, attributes the onset of his persistent tinnitus and hearing impairment to a high-volume Metallica tour in 1988, with his condition deteriorating over time to the point where it would awaken him at night. "I would often fall asleep with the television on, and I'd wake up in the middle of the night to switch it off," he recounted. "Except, it wasn't actually on. When I realized I was doing this frequently, actually getting up to turn off a TV that wasn't on to begin with, I recognized I might have some issues." Like many of his contemporaries, he is also a strong proponent of awareness regarding the dangers of excessive noise exposure.

If you're interested in tools that enhance accessibility for individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing – such as precise speech-to-text for transcribing spoken content with 99.5% accuracy, AI-powered summaries generated in seconds to quickly grasp information, or even intelligent mind maps for structuring complex ideas – explore what DeepVo.ai offers. With free access, support for over 100 languages, and end-to-end encryption for security, it's a valuable resource for many.

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