Ryan losing hearing

[timbuk2]

Anyone know any more about Ryan's recent comments about losing his hearing. I was listening to the Copenhagen show this morning and I heard his comments to the crowd -

"I'm honestly, seriously not sure how much longer I'm going to be able to do any of this stuff 'cause I really think I'm going deaf (laughter) No, I'm really not kidding you. I lost a lot of hearing recently in one of my ears and they can't figure out why. So if I was singing ah..ah....whatever....hmph...."

Pretty disconcerting. I know he's been having problems with the in-ear monitors and has made comments about feeling like he was going deaf, but I figured it was hyperbole. Now I'm not sure and it has me concerned about his health and, selfishly, about not being able to hear more from my favorite artist.

Can anyone shed any light on this situation and maybe relieve my fears. Thanks.

[spacefreak]

im guessing if its really as serious as he says it is, ...then maybe it has something to do with that bad inner ear infection cist thing he had a few years ago...

i believe (and also pray) that this is just some phase kinda illness thing and will pass...or else...i dunno what im gonna do...without live cards

[dubstar]

I would think that it mainly has to do with standing in front of a stack of fender tube amps...

[Monkey]

But as he is now using in ear phones surely they would take the Edge
off the volume, No?
Peace
Andrew.

[bmielkephoto]

i'm sure he'll be fine...Townshend stood in front of a nuclear stack of hiwatts for years and years, as well as having a bass drum bomb go off next to his head and he's still playing. Hoping for the best, obviously, but I'd imagine he gon be chilleh

[Blossom]

I was thinking about this the other day and wondering why Ryan doesn't try a hearing aide?

And Townsend has suffered terribly with hearing loss - this is a great link about hearing loss where Townsend is quoted...I have a touch of it myself from too many years of loud music:

http://www.abelard.org/hear/hear.htm#question

[tylerjohns18]

please god no

[twistedwings]

Sorry, I don't know how to put links in here, but WolfHunter wrote about the hearing loss and using a hearing aid a few weeks ago. It's the "Hey Hey USA" thread in general chat.

[ferris wheel junkie]

i hope he's ok.

[driver]

Originally Posted by twistedwings

Sorry, I don't know how to put links in here, but WolfHunter wrote about the hearing loss and using a hearing aid a few weeks ago. It's the "Hey Hey USA" thread in general chat.

Here it is:

It was very shocking to find out I had suffered some tramamtic hearing loss on the last tour in my left ear. It left a lot to be answered. But I got a hearng aid, and now the band amd I are playing through a device which lets us communicate onstage thru a mic that no one but us hears (it is by Brads drums (oh and thank you brother Phil Lesh for the idea) so things are getting even deeper.

[hoosierpanic]

most of the shows in 05 through summer 06, were very loud, and in small rooms. i know my ears were ringing after Indy in 06. i can imagine what that does to the people on stage, who are exposed every night.

[spacefreak]

yeah '06 was loud wasnt it....plus brad plays hard....

[spacefreak]

and in terms of whats been said about townshend and ryan....ummm....how long has pete been around? i think ryans doing pretty damn well timewise...hell be ok...and if he doesnt believe that himself than hes losing hope already

[orlaton2]

I gotta say, as someone who suffers with tinitus...it can be sad for a bit when you first realize you are losing your hearing, especially when you love music. You learn to adjust after a while...but we don't know if it is tinitus or something else.

[twistedwings]

Originally Posted by orlaton2

I gotta say, as someone who suffers with tinitus...it can be sad for a bit when you first realize you are losing your hearing, especially when you love music. You learn to adjust after a while...but we don't know if it is tinitus or something else.

While I totally agree that humans are resiliant and do adjust to changes like that... wow.... Look at how many songs Ryan puts out... surely a lot of his thoughts come out in song-format. It would be extremely distressful for someone like him, I think. I just figure a lot of prayers should be going out for him.

[spacefreak]

totally...but his own included

[autmommy]

It is all very concernng. I know that Ryan had surgery a couple of years back, when he was having repeated infections and problems with cysts. It is possible for repeated cysts to damage those tiny little bones within your ear, which are responsible for conducting sound. More info for those who are interested in this sort of thing can be found here:

http://www.chicagoear.com/med_info/cholesteatoma.htm

I am assuming that Ryan has some good ear/audiology specialists stateside, hopefully they can figure out what is going on. It also seems like he has had increased problems since he has gone over to Europe. It makes me wonder if the flying exacerbated the problem. A lot of times the pressure can make chronic ear and sinus problems worse. Whatever it is, it has to be so horrifying and frustrating for him, I hope he knows that we are all pulling for him. Me, I'm in it for better or worse At least now, the Minneapolis show seems to make so much more sense to me. Christ, I must be like the kiss of death for my favored singer/songwriters. I already went through something similar to this with Mary Lou Lord, who I was a fan of for years, then she was diagnosed with Spasmodic Dystonia, which completely robbed her of her voice. I saw her play at Turf Club in St. Paul a year or two ago, and I wanted to just cry when I heard what it did to her voice. Hopefully luck will smile on Ry - I will be sending all my best optimistic sunshiney vibes his way

[spacefreak]

yes thru thick and thin we will be here for you ryan...just dont get down on it...stay positive and grateful and pg 417 in the big book will always work if youre having troubles

[drajer7486]

this is devastating! WOLFIE, I'LL BE PRAYING FOR YOU!

[Hofftimus Prime]

Originally Posted by tylerjohns18

please god no

that's too funny! i can hear it now (no pun intended). but i'm with you. what a terrible loss (again no pun intended).