Lulu opens up on serious condition that almost ended her 60-year singing career
Scots singing legend Lulu has revealed she wears hearing aids after 60 years of live music left her suffering from hearing loss.
The 75-year-old Shout singer says she has heard ringing and muffled noises in her ears for years on stage, but didn’t realise she was experiencing hearing damage.
She said: ‘After being on stage nearly all of my life, I have always noticed ringing and muffled sounds, but never really thought much of it.”
The star says she decided to get hearing aids so she was still able to be on stage.
“Music has always been a cornerstone of everything I do, so it’s incredibly important that I can still enjoy it. Wearing hearing aids will mean I can continue to hear every note,” she said.
“But it’s more than just this – connecting with people is a huge part of my life and I want to be able to join the conversation and not be left out of it.”
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The average volume at a live music event is between 115 and 120 decibels (dB) which could damage hearing if exposed to it for long enough without hearing protection and Lulu is encouraging music fans to protect their hearing.
She said: “The good news is it’s not too late for me to preserve the rest of my hearing.
“Using hearing protection is such a simple and easy thing to do when around live music and I urge others to wear it.
“Music is still my life, and I plan to carry on enjoying it for many years to come.”
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The news comes just weeks after Lulu – who is on her seventh decade of performing her debut single ‘Shout’ – wowed crowds at Glastonbury and announced dates in November as part of her farewell ‘Champagne for Lulu’ tour.
Earlier this year, Luly dropped a major hint that she and fellow music legend David Bowie had been more than friends.
The Glaswegian singer had just divorced her first spouse, former Bee Gees star Maurice Gibb in 1973, when she met the Ziggy Stardust legend, who died aged 69 in 2016.
A new poll reveals 23 per cent of gig goers in Scotland think loud music has damaged their hearing.
The study, commissioned by Specsavers of 900 adults who attend concerts and festivals, found that, in Scotland, 40 per cent have noticed a negative impact on their hearing immediately after a gig – with 47 per cent experiencing ringing in their ears, 33 per cent buzzing and 35 per cent a muffled sensation.
Just over a quarter said they had suffered temporary hearing loss, while just under a quarter, (21 per cent) experienced pain in their ears.