Rev Richard Coles, a former pop star from the 1980s band The Communards, has shared how his music career affected his hearing. In an interview with The Times, he talked about losing his hearing because of loud music and how he now uses hearing aids to hear better.
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Loud Music Damaged His Hearing
Richard Coles, now 62, slowly lost his hearing over the years. He performed in very loud places when he was in The Communards. At first, he did not notice the problem. But when he started hearing a loud ringing sound in his ears, called tinnitus, he knew something was wrong.
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“My friends got annoyed because I turned the TV too loud or asked them to repeat things,” Coles said. “But when the ringing in my ears got really bad, I knew I had to do something.”
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Getting Bluetooth Hearing Aids
Coles went to an audiologist, a doctor for ears and hearing. He did some tests and saw that he had lost a lot of hearing, especially for high sounds. This happened because of years of loud music.
He got Bluetooth hearing aids, and they changed his life. At a concert in Brighton, he realized how much he had been missing. “The music was clear and bright,” he said. “I didn’t know I had lost so much until I heard it again.”
How Hearing Aids Helped Him
As a musician, good hearing is important. Now, Coles can hear music better, and even his piano playing has improved. “Now that I hear better, even my speech is clearer,” he said happily.
But hearing aids are not perfect. He still struggles to hear people in noisy places. So, he chooses quiet restaurants when going out.
Hearing Aids Should Not Be Embarrassing
Coles wants people to know that hearing aids are not something to be ashamed of. Many people avoid them because they feel embarrassed, but they can improve life a lot. Modern hearing aids are small and easy to use. Coles calls them a “life-changing experience” and hopes more people will use them.
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His Pop Music Career
Richard Coles was part of The Communards, a famous 1980s band. With Jimmy Somerville, he made hit songs like Don’t Leave Me This Way. The band was very successful, but the loud music and concerts damaged Coles’ hearing.
Conclusion: Technology Changed His Life
Coles’ story shows how loud music can harm hearing. His hearing aids have helped him enjoy life again. No matter your age, it is never too late to get help and improve your hearing.
“If you have hearing loss, don’t wait,” Coles said. “With hearing aids, sounds are not just there—they are alive again.”
FAQ: Questions About Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids
Are hearing aids big and easy to see?
No, modern hearing aids are small and not easy to notice. They fit well inside the ear.
Can hearing aids make hearing perfect again?
No, but they help a lot. They make sounds clearer, especially voices and music. However, noisy places can still be hard.