Hello Everyone
Today I thought I’d make one of my entries onto this site a little bit different. I choose to talk about some celebrities or famous people with tinnitus.
I would like to think that in some way or the other we are influenced, impacted or inspired by popular names either in history or in the entertainment industry.
It is for this very reason that I chose this topic. To show you that you are not alone and that no matter who you are, big or small, famous or not, tinnitus can affect you.
It is interesting to see how these people have coped with tinnitus. This is another reason to give you all hope that something can always be done.
Before I get into the core of the subject, I would briefly like to recap to some of our new readers what tinnitus is and the relative causes that may be associated with it. I will also quickly give a rundown of my background and my experience with living with tinnitus.
If you like, you can skip to the section and go on to read about the famous people with tinnitus.
Tinnitus, a quick overview
As I mentioned in my previous articles, Tinnitus affects around 10-15 percent of the population. It is often characterized by ringing, buzzing, whishing noises in the ear and is classified as a symptom rather than an actual condition or disease.
What causes Tinnitus?
There are a number of things that can cause tinnitus.Things like, exposure to loud noise, diseases such as Meniere’s Disease, injuries or blows to the head.
I have written an article about sinus infections as well, that can be a potential cause of tinnitus.
TMJ or Temporanmandubular Joint and certain foods that certainly aggravate tinnitus.
About Me
As I had mentioned in my About Page, I am a tinnitus sufferer. I am a pharmacist by profession and I am also completely deaf in my right ear.
So you can very well imagine, that having only the one ear to rely upon along with the added tinnitus, makes life a wee bit of a challenge.
So from a professional point of view is it imperative that I am on top of my game all the time in the pharmacy.
Mistakes are definitely a luxury that I can’t afford. Or else, you guessed it….
So I started searching for answers.
Birth of this Site
Over the past two to two and a half years, I started looking at different treatment options, lifestyle modifications including dietary changes and relaxation techniques.
You see, I also had the opportunity to speak with, and understand other tinnitus sufferers who needed help as they walked through the front door.
Different Strokes for different folks.
Amazingly, though we all were in the same boat, we all had to find our own way.The reason for this is that we responded differently to the same treatment or techniques.
So I don’t think there is a clear cut answer to treating tinnitus. At least not as yet.
An example would be caffeine intake. There are tons of blogs and articles advising people with tinnitus to stay away from caffeine.
I decided to challenge this idea and test it. So I drank coffee, a cup a day for an entire month!
The Result : I found caffeine intake to have no effect on worsening my tinnitus. On the flip side other tinnitus sufferers find that caffeine is a definite no-go for them.
So you see, it’s about trial and error. Testing something and see what works and what doesn’t for you. This is the fundamental purpose of this website.
To give you various options, treatment plans, latest tinnitus news, and most importantly support and hope with your battle with tinnitus.
Great!!!!
Now you know that you can find information and help here, lets see how some famous people with tinnitus rise to the challenge. Maybe we might learn something extra. Below is my personal 5 famous people with tinnitus.
They inspire me and motivate me to move on. I hope they do the same for you.
As the age old saying goes, ” Its never ever too late to learn new things.”
Famous people with Tinnitus
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Will.i.am
First up we have Will.I.am, an accomplished artist, writer, composer and producer. With numerous nominations and some Grammy awards to his name, this “Black eyed Peas,” member says that he ” does not know what silence sounds like anymore.” as his tinnitus causes him to hear the ringing in his ears constantly all the time.
Yet, what is amazing, is to see that he still manages to smile as he talks about it. This is good. It shows that he won’t let it get the better of him.
Check out this clip from YouTube showing him in action in the studio and talking about his tinnitus.
2. William Shatner
Famous for his role as Captain Kirk in Star Trek, Mr Shatner, says that his tinnitus came about whilst on the set of shooting this series. Apparently, he was standing too close to the speakers and ever since has been suffering from the ringing in his ears.
He too, is hopeful that one day a cure will be realized for tinnitus. Here is a video of him talking about Tinnitus and the American Tinnitus Association
3. Ronald Reagan
Apparently this former President of USA, developed tinnitus during a film shoot. A black pistol was fired too close to ears and he had been suffering from tinnitus ever since.
Just think, that you still go on to running the entire country despite the internal battle that is taking place.
Amazing, don’t you think?
4.Barbara Streisand
Barbara Streisand is an American Singer, actress, director and producer and one of the most successful personalities in show business.
Did you know that she is the only person to receive all of the following?
Oscar, Tony, Emmy, Grammy, Golden Globe, Cable Ace, National Endowment for the Arts, and Peabody awards, as well as the American Film Institutes Lifetime Achievement honor and the Film Society of Lincoln Center Chaplin Award.
Here is the kicker to it, she started suffering from tinnitus at the age of 9years old!!!
Not bad at all. The mind is a powerful thing if you can control it.
5. Steve Martin
He is one of my favourite actors. Steve Martin started suffering from tinnitus shortly after a gun fight scene whilst shooting for the film, The Three Amigos back in 1986.
This did not stop this comedian, writer and actor from going forward to hosting the 75th Academy Awards.
In 2014, he took home the Honorary Academy Award, which was for his recognition of his extraordinary talents and the unique inspiration he has brought to the art of motion pictures.
If you want to watch, here is his Opening Monologue back at the 2003 Oscars.
Conclusion
There you have it. My list of some famous people with tinnitus.
I often look at this list when my tinnitus gets really out of hand. We all have stresses and sometimes it can get the better of us.
Even though, people say, ‘you should control it, as it will make your tinnitus worse,’ it is often easier said than done.
So, I try to take a step back in these times and see these people’s faces. I think to myself that if they can do it, then so can I. And so can you!!
I would like to leave you with a final treat,if I may.
A very short Youtube clip showing you other famous people such as the likes of Eric Clapton, Sylvester Stallone, Moby, Gerard Butler, who also suffered with tinnitus in their lives. You will recognize others as well.
Let this be a reminder to you that we can beat this together, one step at a time.
Thank you for spending your time here.
Who inspires you? How do you get through the day living with your tinnitus?
Please feel free to share in the comments below.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Regards
Roopesh
Hi, this title attracted my attention for several reasons. I am the one, I mean of those who have the problem of tinnitus, not yet the one of famous (but I am working on it).
Anyhow, it is good to be in such a company. Did not know really about people like Reagan, or Streisand. So you are the one as well, then you know it is annoying and there are many people with this issue.
One is certain: there is no solution for it. Do not tell me to get rid of coffee, I shall rather be with tinnitus. I am an addict. But luckily you proved this about coffee to be a myth. Thanks a lot for this interesting text.
HI Jovo
Nice to hear from you again.
Yes, I think it would be nice to have that fame and fortune. I wish you all the best in getting there. And when you do, do not forget me…Joking!!!
I think the main purpose is to give people more hope and motivation when they are in their own struggle with tinnitus. So many times, I have heard that nothing can be done, and you just have to live with it.
This is not true .I want to show the people that you can accomplish your dreams no matter what.
By the way, keep enjoying your coffee mate!!
Thanks for stopping by
Roopesh
Hi Roopesh… that was an interesting read regarding those special people who suffer with tinnitus.
I cannot remember when I first began to experience it but I can remember my mum often complaining of ringing in the ears.
I’ve had it for many years and yes, it’s constant. It never goes away, not for a single second.
I’m hopeful of finding an answer to my problem in the near future.
Hello Marilyn
Glad that you found it interesting.
I hear you completely. This is exact reason that I developed this website.
To offer various suggestions, latest news and support and help wherever I can. I too am a Tinnitus sufferer and keep trying things out.
Perhaps check out the rest of this site, you may find something that can assist you to deal with tinnitus.
All of the best to you.
Regards
Roopesh
Thanks Roopesh, will do.
Its a pleasure. Take Care
Hi Roopesh,
Great site. I experience mild tinnitus about once a month for a few minutes and was worried that this might develop into something more serious over time. Is this just normal do you know or should i have it checked out?
By the way, I live in Italy and drink about 10 cups of coffee a day; I don’t think somehow that this is causing it. Keep up the good work and I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Hi there
Unless the tinnitus or ringing becomes bothersome, whereby it interferes with your daily lifestyle or communication, then I would worry and get it checked out.
There are couple of things that I recommend such watching your intake of salty foods and exercise regimes that I have mentioned that can help to keep your tinnitus at bay. You are welcome to try these out to prevent it from getting out of control. One other thing, I know you may have heard it before, try to minimize any major stresses in your life.
Regarding the coffee, I did not find it to aggravate my tinnitus as well. However, I did not consume about 10cups a day. If you are happy with this, then I think its fine.
I thank you for your kind words.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Roopesh
Hi Roopesh,
Great site. I experience mild tinnitus about once a month for a few minutes and was worried that this might develop into something more serious over time. Is this just normal do you know or should i have it checked out?
By the way, I live in Italy and drink about 10 cups of coffee a day; I don’t think somehow that this is causing it. Keep up the good work and I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Hi Brendan
As long as the tinnitus does not affect your lifestyle, then I personally would not worry about it.
I have tried the coffee story and found that my tinnitus does not spike as a result of its consumption.
Overall, I think you are okay.
If you notice it getting worse then give me shout and lets see what we can do then.
Regards
Roopesh
HI I’M SAM FROM MIDDLETOWN CT I BEEN SUFFERING TINNITUS FOR THE PASS 7 YEARS NONE STOPING ONLY ON OCASION WHEN I WAKE UP IS PURE SILENCES THEN START KICKING BACK WHILE AFTER I NOTICE LITTLE DIFFERENT ELIMINATING SALT CONSUMPTION AND CAFFEINE DRINKING DECAFFEINATED COFFE ILL DO ANYTHING TO. GETS BETTER. THIS SITE REALLY HELP. MY FAMOUSE START SILVESTER STALLON.
Hi Samuel
I am so glad that you have found something on this site to help you out. I will pray for you and hope that in time things will become better for you in terms of your tinnitus.
I love Stallone as well. He is a cool actor and I love to watch his movies.
Do take care of yourself.
Regards
Roopesh
I have had for a month constsant ringing I have gone to E N T specialist who said my ears are not problem they are half shot but the wringing is in the brain I have good day’s and bad I have resigned to the fact that I will probably always have which is a bummer yet I live on. As Steve Martin says you make peace with it or go crazy
Absolutely Joe, making peace with it can be tough at times. I know that at times, I want to just scream and go all crazy. But then, if I do that, then I will give more power to tinnitus.
It is best to make peace and focus all your energy on what you need to do in your life.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Regards
Roopesh
Hello,
Since this airborne infection gave me tinnitus, and gives the mammal that spreads it tinnitus, and tinnitus is comorbid with physical and mental/mood diseases that this can cause, what % of the approximately 50 million Americans with tinnitus do you think have this infection?
I’d like to share information I learned during my workplace’s outbreak of an airborne infectious disease that can cause malignancies, precancerous conditions, rheumatic diseases, connective tissue diseases, autoimmune symptoms, inflammation in any organ/tissue, seizures, migraines, hallucinations, etc.
My coworkers and I, all immunocompetent, got Disseminated Histoplasmosis in Dallas-Fort Worth from roosting bats, the most numerous non-human mammal in the U.S., that shed the fungus in their feces. The doctors said we couldn’t possibly have it, since we all had intact immune systems. The doctors were wrong.
More than 100 outbreaks have occurred in the U.S. since 1938, and those are just the ones that were figured out, since people go to different doctors. One outbreak was over 100,000 victims in Indianapolis. 80-90+% of people in some areas have been infected. It can lay dormant for up to 40 years in the lungs and/or adrenals.
This pathogen parasitizes the reticuloendothelial system/invades macrophages, infects and affects the lymphatic system and all tissues/organs, causes inflammation and granulomas, etc. It causes idiopathic (unknown cause) diseases and conditions, including hematological malignancies, autoimmune symptoms, myelitis, myositis, vasculitis. etc. It causes hypervascularization, calcifications, sclerosis, fibrosis, necrosis, eosinophilia, leukopenia, anemia, neutrophilia, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia, hypoglycemia, cysts, abscesses, polyps, stenosis, and perforations, GI problems, hepatitis, focal neurologic deficits, etc. Many diseases it might cause are comorbid with other diseases it might cause, for example depression/anxiety/MS linked to Crohn’s disease.
It at least “mimics” autoimmune diseases, cancer, mental illness, migraines, seizures, etc. It’s known to cause rheumatological conditions. It causes hematological malignancies, and some doctors claim their leukemia patients go into remission when given antifungal. My friend in another state who died from lupus lived across the street from a bat colony. An acquaintance with alopecia universalis and whose mother had degenerative brain disorder has bat houses on their property.
Apparently, even the CDC didn’t know bats CARRY it and shed it in their feces, although they knew it could grow in bird and bat feces. Researchers claim the subacute type is more common than believed. It is known to at least mimic autoimmune diseases and cancer, and known to give false-positives in PET scans. But no one diagnosed with an autoimmune disease or cancer is screened for it. In fact, at least one NIH paper states explicitly that all patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis be tested for it, but most, if not all, are not. Other doctors are claiming sarcoidosis IS disseminated histoplasmosis.
The fungus is an Oxygenale and therefore consumes collagen. It’s known to cause connective tissue diseases. Fungal hyphae carry an electrical charge and align under a current. It causes RNA/DNA damage. It’s known to cause delusions, wild mood swings, and hallucinations. It’s most potent in female lactating bats, because the fungus likes sugar (lactose) and nitrogen (amino acids, protein). What about female lactating humans…postpartum psychosis? The bats give birth late spring/summer, and I noticed suicide rates spike in late spring/early summer. A map of mental distress and some diseases appear to almost perfectly overlay a map of Histoplasmosis. Johns Hopkins linked autism to an immune response in the womb. Alzheimer’s was linked to hypoglycemia, which can be caused by chronic CNS histoplasmosis. The bats eat moths, which are attracted to blue and white city lights.
I believe the “side effects” of Haldol (leukopenia and MS symptoms) might not always be side effects but just more symptoms of Disseminated Histoplasmosis, since it causes leukopenia and MS symptoms. What about the unknown reason why beta receptor blockers cause tardive dyskinesia? The tinnitus, photophobia, psychosis “caused” by Cipro? The hypersexuality and leukemia “caused” by Abilify? Humira linked to lymphoma, leukemia and melanoma in children? etc.
From my experience, I learned that NO doctor, at least in DFW, will suspect subacute and/or progressive disseminated histoplasmosis in immunocompetent people. Some doctors, at least the ones I went to, will even REFUSE to test for it, even when told someone and their coworkers have all the symptoms and spend a lot of time in a building with bats in the ceiling. Victims will be accused of hypochondriasis. In fact, the first doctor to diagnose me was a pulmonologist, and the only reason he examined me was to try to prove that I didn’t have it, when I really did. No doctor I went to realized bats carry the fungus. And NO doctor, at least none in DFW, even infectious disease “experts,” understand the DISSEMINATED form, just the pulmonary form, and the only test that will be done by many doctors before they diagnose people as NOT having it is an X-ray, even though at least 40-70% of victims will have NO sign of it on a lung X-ray. It OFTEN gives false-negatives in lab tests (some people are correctly diagnosed only during an autopsy after obtaining negative test results) and cultures may not show growth until after 12 weeks of incubation (but some labs report results after 2 weeks).
One disease of unknown cause that could be caused by Disseminated Histoplasmosis: I suspect, based on my and my coworker’s symptoms (during our “rare” infectious disease outbreak) and my research, that interstitial cystitis and its comorbid conditions can be caused by disseminated histoplasmosis, which causes inflammation throughout the body, causes “autoimmune” symptoms, and is not as rare as believed. I read that “interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the submucosal and muscular layers of the bladder, and the cause is currently unknown. Some people with IC have been diagnosed with other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, allergies, and Sjogren’s syndrome, which raises the possibility that interstitial cystitis may be caused by mechanisms that cause these other conditions. In addition, men with IC are frequently diagnosed as having chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, and there is an extensive overlap of symptoms and treatment between the two conditions, leading researchers to posit that the conditions may share the same etiology and pathology.” Sounds like Disseminated Histoplasmosis, doesn’t it?
My coworkers and I had GI problems, liver problems, weird rashes (erythema nodosum, erythema multiforme, etc.), plantar fasciitis, etc., and I had swollen lymph nodes, hives, lesions, abdominal aura, and started getting migraines and plantar fasciitis in the building, and haven’t had them since I left. It gave me temporary fecal incontinence, seizures, dark blood from my intestines, nystagmus, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, various aches and pains (some felt like pin pricks and pinches), tingling, tremors, and chronic spontaneous “orgasms”/convulsions. Suddenly I was allergic to pears (latex fruit allergy?). I had insomnia (presumably from the fungus acidifying the blood, releasing adrenaline) and parasomnias. I suddenly had symptoms of several inflammatory/autoimmune diseases, including Fibromyalgia, Sarcoidosis, ALS, MS, Sjogren’s syndrome, etc. that have disappeared since leaving the area and taking nothing but Itraconazole antifungal.
No one, including doctors, could figure out what was wrong with us, and I was being killed by my doctor, who mistakenly refused to believe I had it and gave me progressively higher and higher doses of Prednisone (at least 2 years after I already had Disseminated Histoplasmosis) after a positive ANA titer, until I miraculously remembered that a visiting man once told my elementary school class that bats CARRY histoplasmosis….so much of it that they evolved to deal with the photophobia and tinnitus it causes by hunting at night by echolocation. There’s a lot more. I wrote a book about my experience with Disseminated Histoplasmosis called “Batsh#t Crazy,” because bats shed the fungus in their feces and it causes delusions and hallucinations, I suspect by the sclerotia it can form emitting hallucinogens (like psilocybin and dimethyltryptamine) along with inflammation in the CNS. (Schizophrenics have 2X of a chemical associated with yeast, part of the fungal life cycle.)
Thank you for your time,
Susan McIntyre
Your readers may want to know, as you may already as a pharmacist, that certain medications list tinnitus as a possible, documented side effect. Wellbutrin (bupropion) is an example. This may not happen immediately, suggesting ototixicity over time. A reminder always to read the info that accompanies your scrips. And tinnitus not always linked to hearing loss — the good news.
Absolutely.thanks so very much for that information. Appreciate it.
Have tinnitus for year and a half now. Lost 10 pounds first week, slept a total of maybe 5 mins in eight days. Was suicidle. Couldn’t see myself living with it for the rest of my life. I happen to live where the worlds foremost authority on tinnitus happens to practice . What’s helped me tremendously is wearing a tinnitus therapy hearing aid. It plays a musical score designed for the pitch that I have. It blends the noise out. The other is getting on Xanax three times a day. What the Xanax does is calm my body down, calm my brain, calm my anxiety. As a result the calmer I keep my brain the pitch gets lower. Sometimes very low. I have also taken measures to never leave anywhere without earplugs.
Thank you so much Jerr for sharing this with us.
I can see that the Tinnitus really took a heavy strain on you. I want to tell you that for having come this far, you have done an amazing job.
Well done to you.
I am glad to see that the hearing aid had helped out.
In my country Xanax trades as a different name, but I am familiar with the ingredient. As you mentioned, it helps to calm you and that is the important thing. I believe that having ‘T’ is aggravated by stresses and having a calm state of mind is like not giving power to tinnitus.
Thanks once again for sharing, I believe that it will help someone out there.
All the best.
Merry Christmas to you
Regards
Roopesh
hi!
My tinnitus becomes 85 % better with Cipramil 20 mg antidepressive daily , its something with the serotine in the head, the ear its very complicated organ in the human body! . For example why dont all Soldiers and hard rockers suffere tinnitus? , they have something in the ears that protect them , the doctors dont know yet what it is!
Best regards
Alex
Hi Alex
That is a good point that you brought up.I never tried the Cipramil. Will definitely give it a go.
hi have had tinnitus for 12 years now.learned to live with it but it has suddenly got higher so battling it again you just have to be strong.will beat this horrible thing again,god bless everyone who has it