Legendary singer Huey Lewis loses ability to hear music due to illness

Huey Lewis, the iconic frontman of Huey Lewis and the News, has revealed the profound personal toll of Meniere's disease, an inner ear disorder that has robbed him of his ability to enjoy music.

Diagnosed in the mid-1990s, Lewis publicly shared his struggle with the condition in 2021. Meniere's disease is characterized by debilitating vertigo, persistent tinnitus, and a gradual decline in hearing. For Lewis, the most devastating consequence has been the loss of his connection to music.

"The truth is, I can no longer hear music," Lewis stated in an interview on Michael Rosenbaum's podcast, "Inside of You." He described this loss as the most difficult aspect of his illness. While his hearing aids and cochlear implant enable him to comprehend spoken words, they also distort sound frequencies, fundamentally changing his perception of music.

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The truth is, I can no longer hear music.

Despite the challenges, Lewis is striving to accept his new reality. He admits it's not easy, especially when observing peers who continue to perform and find joy on stage. The hearing loss has ended his touring career, leading him to spend more time outdoors, pursuing activities like fishing.

Reflecting on his situation, Lewis noted that if he could still hear, he would likely be on the road performing 75 to 100 shows annually. While he doesn't miss the demanding tour schedule itself, he expresses a sense of longing for the camaraderie of his bandmates and the unique lifestyle that accompanies life on the road.

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Good thing about all this is that if I could still hear, I would probably still be on the road playing 75 to 100 concerts a year. I don't miss that. I miss hanging out with the guys in the band and that circus way of life that goes with touring.