Huey Lewis admits he considered suicide after hearing loss ended his career

As frontman of Huey Lewis and the News, he is known and his music loved by fans around the world, but the 69-year-old singing sensation has now revealed he considered ending his own life after sudden hearing loss brought his career to an abrupt end.

Huey Lewis has spoken about his hearing struggles in the past but the American star has now admitted that he felt suicidal following his diagnosis with Meniere’s disease in early 2018, which is an inner ear disorder that causes vertigo, ringing in the ears and progressive hearing loss.

The ‘Power of Love’ singer opened up about his condition in an interview with The Whitefish Review, admitting that his hearing loss has “ruined everything” as he is no longer able to enjoy music or perform on stage.

“This [he points to his ear] has ruined everything. This has absolutely ruined everything.” he told the outlet. “In the first two months of this, I was suicidal. I can honestly share that with you. I thought, shit, I’m just going to commit suicide.

“I actually contemplated my demise. You know, like pills. I figured pills were the easiest way to go. I mean, would I have? I don’t know.”

Huey, who shot to fame in the 1980s, toured with his band The News for 40 years, selling more than 30 millions albums worldwide with hits including ‘The Power of Love’, ‘I Want a New Drug’ and ‘Heart and Soul’.

The veteran performer admitted that he misses working, telling The Whitefish Review: “This is now a year and eight months, and it’s awful. I can’t hear music. It’s hard enough to hear speech. But music is impossible.”

Huey was diagnosed with Meniere’s around 18 months ago after he suddenly lost his hearing just before he was due to take to the stage for a gig in Dallas in February 2018. He wrote on Twitter at the time: “Two and a half months ago I lost most of my hearing. Although I can still hear a little, one on one, and on the phone, I can’t hear music well enough to sing.

“The doctors believe I have Meniere’s disease and have agreed that I can’t perform until I improve.”

As a result of the diagnosis, he was forced to cancel all upcoming shows with The News and apologised to his fans on social media, adding: “Needless to say, I feel horrible about this, and wish to sincerely apologize [sic] to all the fans who’ve already bought tickets and were planning to come see us.”