AC/DC Singer's 'Deafness' Fears: Other Musicians Who Suffer From Severe Hearing Problems

AC/DC have postponed the rest of their US tour after the band’s lead singer, Brian Johnson, was told he risks total hearing loss if he continues.

The 68-year-old has been the lead singer of the band since 1980 – and their future has now been put in doubt.

However, he is not the first musician to suffer from hearing problems due to his line of work.

Action on Hearing Loss said anyone regularly exposed to noise levels above 85 decibels risked permanent hearing damage.The charity’s senior audiologist, Louise Hart, said: “If you’re a musician, or someone who enjoys going to concerts regularly, you should wear ear protection, which reduces your exposure and could save your hearing.”

Pete Townshend
The Who guitarist is “almost stone deaf”, according to his bandmate Roger Daltrey, who spoke about Townshend’s hearing problems during an interview in 2011. The 70-year-old is said to be completely deaf in one ear, partly because of Keith Moon, who once blew up his drum set on stage. Townshend also has tinnitus as a result of his band’s famously live gigs. (Credit: kubacheck/Flickr)

Phil Collins
The former Genesis drummer and solo star revealed in 2011 that he had lost hearing in his left ear, which, coupled with other health problems, meant he was no longer able to play the drums. However, last year the 64-year-old confirmed in an interview with Rolling Stone that he was “no longer officially retired”. (Credit: RICHARD YOUNG/REX/Shutterstock)

Ozzy Osbourne
The Black Sabbath frontman said he suffers from permanent tinnitus and can hear a “constant ringing” in his ears. He told the Sunday Times: “It’s like this Whee! noise in my head all the time. Should have worn earplugs, I guess.” (Credit: Brandon Marshall/REX/Shutterstock)

Will.i.am
The Black Eyed Peas and The Voice star has spoken of his tinnitus and revealed that he can hearing buzzing “all day, every day”.“I can’t sleep,” he said. “Turn up the TV. Got to drown out the tinnitus.” (Credit: Will.i.am)

Barbra Streisand
The Hollywood star believes she developed tinnitus as a child and hears “high frequency noises”. In an interview with US TV presenter Barbara Walters, she said: “It’s annoying because I long to hear silence.” (Credit: John Salangsang/BFAnyc.com/REX/Shutterstock)