John Mellencamp Suspects He’ll Be ‘Totally Deaf’ by the Time He Finishes Touring but Still Refuses to Get Hearing Aids

**John Mellencamp Reflects on Hearing Loss and Tinnitus After Decades in Rock Music**

In a candid conversation on the ‘Nepo, Baby!’ podcast, musician John Mellencamp opened up about the long-lasting impact that a lifetime of performing has had on his hearing. The 75-year-old Grammy Award winner spoke alongside his son, Hud, revealing the challenges he faces and his firm stance on avoiding hearing aids.

Mellencamp acknowledged his deteriorating hearing, stating, “I’ll probably be totally deaf by the time the tour’s over.” He has made adjustments, such as wearing earplugs during performances, but remains adamant against using hearing aids, citing advice from his grandmother. He recalled her warning, “John, don’t ever get hearing aids because once you get them, you can’t live without them.” This persistent belief has influenced his decision-making regarding hearing health.

The singer’s latest struggles include battling pulsatile tinnitus, a condition that causes him to hear his heartbeat along with a consistent ringing in his ears. He described the sensation as a “rhythmic swooshing or whooshing noise inside your head.” This condition poses a significant barrier for him, particularly in noisy environments. “I don’t like going out [to eat] ‘cause I can’t hear,” he explained. “Right now, my ears are ringing like crazy, and I have pulsatile tinnitus, which is I hear my heartbeat. When we go into a restaurant, it’s just like, ‘Well, I’m out.’ I can’t hear anything.”

Mellencamp recently concluded his Dancing Words Tour, which showcased his greatest hits across nearly 20 dates. His summer performances came to an end in August, and shortly after, on September 29, he released a lyric book titled *John Mellencamp: The Songbook: 50 Years of Songs and Poetry*. This publication not only features the lyrics that have defined his career but also includes previously unseen images and a foreword by acclaimed author Stephen King.

The rock music landscape is littered with stories of artists who have similarly suffered from hearing degradation due to years of exposure to loud sounds. Fellow musicians such as Paul Simon, Eric Clapton, Dave Grohl, and Pete Townshend have all acknowledged their own struggles with hearing loss. Clapton revealed in 2018 that he faced tinnitus and was “going deaf” after his extensive career, while Grohl shared last year that he had been relying on lip reading for two decades as his condition progressed.

Grohl recently joked about the inevitability of his hearing tests, indicating he’d heard the results too many times before: “You have hearing damage tinnitus in your left ear, moreso than your right ear.” His humorous approach reflects a shared understanding among musicians who deal with similar health challenges related to their profession.

The conversation on the podcast shines a light on important issues surrounding hearing health, as Mellencamp’s experiences highlight the significant risk musicians face in maintaining their auditory well-being while pursuing their passion. As one of rock music’s enduring figures, his revelations may serve to raise awareness about the long-term consequences of a career in sound.

Ultimately, while Mellencamp seems resigned to the reality of his hearing decline, he continues to engage with music and creativity in other ways. His lyric book is a testament to his ability to articulate his experiences, showcasing his legacy in the music world, even as he grapples with the effects of time on his hearing.

As Mellencamp’s story unfolds, it underscores a broader narrative of a generation of rock musicians facing similar challenges as they age. Their dedication to their craft has not only shaped the musical landscape but also raises crucial discussions about the importance of hearing protection and health awareness in the industry.