John Mellencamp Gives Health Update as Hearing Loss Continues to Progress: ‘I’ll Probably Be Totally Deaf’

Rock singer-songwriter John Mellencamp has revealed that his hearing has deteriorated to such an extent that he believes he could be completely deaf by the time a next tour comes to an end.

The 75-year-old spoke about his growing health concerns during a recent appearance on the “Nepo, Baby!” podcast, but clarified that he has no intention of stepping away from performing for now.

“I don’t like going out ’cause I can’t hear,” he said as he described how his hearing problems have increasingly affected his everyday life, particularly when attempting to communicate in busy public settings.

He went on to explain that persistent ringing in his ears, combined with pulsatile tinnitus, has made ordinary social situations frustrating and sometimes overwhelming.

Pulsatile tinnitus is a condition in which an individual experiences sounds that correspond with their heartbeat, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

“I mean, it’s like right now my ears are ringing like crazy, and I have pulsatile tinnitus, which is, I hear my heartbeat,” he said. “We go into a restaurant, and it’s just like, ‘Well, I’m out,’ because I can’t hear anything because I hear all this noise and stuff.”

He admits the experience has discouraged him from going out socially, as following along in conversations can become exhausting.

“I’m sure people don’t want to keep [repeating things] in my face,” he continued. “So just add tinnitus on top of that, and it’s impossible.”

Mellencamp did not disclose a definitive medical cause for his condition; however, performing and working in the music industry over the years may have contributed to his hearing difficulties. Rock musicians are regularly exposed to high sound levels, especially during live performances.

When discussing his plans to tour again, he suggested that he could be completely deaf by that point, acknowledging the severity of his condition.

“Yeah, I probably will be totally deaf by the time the tour is over,” he said on the podcast. “But you know, I wear earplugs and stuff, but I do not ever, will I ever get hearing aids.”

Mellencamp’s resistance to the devices stems partly from advice he remembers receiving from his grandmother when she told him, “John, don’t ever get hearing aids because once you get them, you can’t live without them.”

“So, she said, ‘If you think chasing around a pair of glasses is a drag, wait ’til you start chasing around a pair of glasses and some hearing aids. And where’s your wallet? Where’s your car keys?’,” he added.

Mellencamp has not officially announced any future solo tours or concert dates as yet. His last tour ran July 10 to Aug. 12.

Rise to Fame

Best known for iconic hits including “Jack & Diane,” “Pink Houses,” and “Hurts So Good,” Mellencamp rose to fame in the early 1980s, blending heartland rock with storytelling that captured the struggles, dreams, and everyday experiences of working-class Americans.

His 1982 breakthrough album, “American Fool,” topped the U.S. album charts and featured two of his biggest hits, earning him a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for “Hurts So Good.”

Mellencamp was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.