If you suffer from mild-to-profound hearing loss or tinnitus, you are not alone. Hearing troubles affect anyone, anywhere, without prejudice, including famous individuals. While it is often thought that these conditions can be potentially disabling, goals can still be accomplished. Those with hearing loss or tinnitus have found ways to proceed with their dreams or have made new ones in order to accommodate their condition. They have not given up!
Many famous people suffer from tinnitus
It is estimated that almost one-quarter of the world hears a constant noise at all hours of the day, every single day of the year.(2) Famous individuals are not exempt. Many have succumbed to the constant buzzing, ringing, chirping, and whooshing before or during their careers.
It is quite surprising that the following well-known people even have tinnitus. Celebrities suffering from this malady include:
- William Shatner
- Barbara Streisand
- Moby
- Eric Clapton
- Huey Lewis
- Neve Campbell
- Ozzy Osbourne
- Phil Collins
- Russell Grant
- Steve Martin
- Peter Jennings
- Larry King
- Bill Clinton
Well-known individuals with hearing loss have continued with their dreams
Many were born with hearing loss or developed the loss after an illness. Despite the challenge of not being able to hear, these people have made accomplishments that some of us can only dream about.
The following inspiring individuals listed below suffer from hearing loss:
- Pete Townshend
- Harold MacGrath
- Linda Bove
- Trix Bruce
- Evelyn Glennie
- Georgia Horsley
- Cliff Bastin
- Heather Whitestone McCallum
Many deaf individuals have made an impact on the world
If you appreciate a melody or two, have you ever thought what the world would be like without Beethoven’s symphonies? Perhaps you enjoy being able to read at night by a lamp. Could you imagine life without indoor lighting? Both Ludwig Van Beethoven and Thomas Edison were deaf and did not let their circumstance stop them. Other inspirational deaf individuals that lived full, successful lives include William Elsworth, Johnnie Ray, Helen Keller, and Julia Brace.
Helen Keller and Julia Brace, for example, both became blind and deaf from illnesses at a very young age. Ms. Brace (1807-1884) was the very first deaf and blind individual to go to school in the U.S.(5) According to the article Julia Brace at Deafis.org, she was a famous student at the American School for the Deaf (ASD) as she was able to accomplish many tasks through her incredible sense of smell and touch. For example, she was able to thread a needle with the use of her tongue, and out of a load of laundry, she was able to find her own clothing.(5)
Ms. Keller (1880-1968) learned, at the tender age of seven, that the words she was spelling out with her hands had meaning. She was the first deaf and blind college graduate who went on to be a researcher, writer, public speaker, and supporter of individuals with disabilities. She was a world renown individual.
Sources:
- RNID Website. Celebrities Who Have Tinnitus. Accessed October 27, 2010
- ehealthMD Website. What is Tinnitus? Accessed October 27, 2010
- How to Cure Tinnitus Website. Many Entertainers – Especially Rock Musicians – Now Live with Tinnitus. Accessed October 27, 2010.
- Disabled World Website. Famous Well Known People with Hearing Impairments and Deafness. Accessed October 27, 2010.
- Deaf Is Website. Julia Brace. Accessed October 27, 2010.
Sarah Mitchell - The author has had the love of the written word since she was a young child, and one could usually find her with a book between her hands. ...
