KT Tunstall lost her hearing 'overnight'
KT Tunstall is "97% deaf" in one ear.
The 'Suddenly I See' hitmaker suffered a "huge shock" when she abruptly lost her hearing overnight, which she believes was due to having "overloaded [her] nervous system" by going to see the Spice girls perform shortly after a gruelling long-haul flight.
She told Britain's OK! magazine: "About 15 years ago, I took a long-haul flight and went straight to a Spice Girls concert. I'm not blaming the Spice Girls, but I think it overloaded my nervous system.
" I woke up with ringing in my ear, like I'd gone underwater. I couldn't hear the car indicator or a shower in another room.
"Then in 2018, I went deaf in my left ear overnight. It's called sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL).
"They don't know why it happens. It was a huge shock. I'm 97% deaf in that ear now and can't use a hearing aid because it's too far gone."
But it wasn't just losing her hearing that KT found tough as it also caused "really disabling" issues with her balance, so she has taken the time to "slow down" and be "more careful" with her health.
She added: "But the worst part wasn't the deafness, it was the vertigo. I lost my balance completely, for two or three months. That was really disabling. Thankfully it passed, and I can still write, record, perform – just in mono. I started seeing it as a message from the universe telling me to slow down, look after myself. I still tour, but I'm more careful now."
KT - who has written the songs for the new stage musical adaptation of 'Clueless' - turns 50 this year but she is "loud and proud" of her age because she wants to set a good example to other women.
She said: "I'm turning 50 this year, and it's the 20th anniversary of 'Eye To The Telescope' . It feels like the end of a chapter and the start of a new one.
"I'm loud and proud about my age. There aren't loads of women in their fifties in UK music, which is why I print 'KT Tunstall 1975' on my merch.
"I want younger women to know how old I am and feel empowered. I feel like I'm shutting the door on the first half of my career. Now, I've got this new avenue in musical theatre."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
David Beckham to be awarded knighthood after string of near misses
David Beckham is to finally be awarded a knighthood, The Sun can reveal. The footie legend, 50, will become a 'Sir' in the King's Birthday Honours list next week. His Spice Girl wife Victoria will be known as Lady Beckham. Ex-England and Man United star Becks has longed for a knighthood for years, according to The Sun. The news will also bring some joy to the Beckham household amid a rift with their eldest son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz. Politicians and fellow sports stars have spent years calling for the man known as 'Golden Balls' to receive a knighthood. The father of four — who played 115 times for England and has made major contributions to charity — has struck up a firm friendship with King Charles. And the monarch dropped a potential hint last month that his wait was coming to an end. Countryside-loving Becks, who is an ambassador of The King's Foundation, was seen greeting Charles and Queen Camilla at the Chelsea Flower Show. Coveted honour He shares a passion for horticulture with Charles and sported the King's rose in his lapel. Charles asked him: 'You got it, didn't you?' Becks replied: 'It was incredible, thank you. It was very kind.' Letters inviting recipients to accept honours are sent out weeks in advance – and one may have already landed on David's mat at the time of their chat. He was first put forward for a knighthood in 2011 after helping to secure the London 2012 Olympics. But he was blocked from getting the title by the Honours Committee after becoming caught up in a tax avoidance scheme, along with many other stars. Becks retired from playing in 2013, and his finances were cleared by the taxman at least four years ago – paving the way for him to finally get the coveted honour. Many thought it would finally come in 2022, after he spent 13 hours queuing with the public to pay his respects at Queen Elizabeth's coffin, which lay in state in Westminster. But he was again left waiting for the honour. The Sun understands he narrowly missed out on a knighthood in the New Year Honours List published in December last year. Former England football manager Gareth Southgate got the award. David had been given an OBE in 2003 for services to football. He received it from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, watched by proud Victoria, sons Brooklyn and Romeo, and his grandparents. David and his wife — who shot to fame with the Spice Girls before becoming a successful fashion designer — have an estimated combined net worth of more than $1 million. David also has a long history of charitable work, which will have been considered by officials on the Honours Committee. Last year, he was formally made a charity ambassador by the King, and beekeeper Becks was buzzing with excitement at teaming up with him. Charles invited Beckham to Highgrove to learn more about the charity, which focuses on 'creating better communities where people, places and the planet can coexist in harmony'. Tours of the grounds help to fund workshops and courses in traditional skills and crafts, and the former footie star met woodworking and embroidery students. Becks said at the time: 'I'm excited to be working with The King's Foundation and to have the opportunity to help raise awareness of the charity's work. 'I've always been keen to help young people to expand their horizons and I'm particularly looking forward to supporting the Foundation's education programs and its efforts to ensure young people have greater access to nature. 'Having developed a love for the countryside I'm also on a personal mission to learn more about rural skills which is so central to the Foundation's work. 'It was inspiring to hear from The King about the work of His Majesty's Foundation during my recent visit to Highgrove Gardens — and compare beekeeping tips.' In 2020, he teamed up with the Chelsea Pensioners as he backed The Sun's campaign to save the Poppy Appeal amid the devastating Covid lockdown. He said he was 'in awe' of the veterans as he delivered poppies to their London HQ. David added: 'With another lockdown coming it is more important than ever that we support our veterans.' Becks, also dad to son Cruz and daughter Harper, has carried out lots of charity work focusing on children, and was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador 20 years ago. To mark his 50th birthday last month he appealed for donations for the charity. He was also a founding member of the leadership council of charity Malaria No More in 2009, helping to eradicate the disease, even visiting No 10 to highlight the issue. In 2023, he delighted the Brentford Penguins – a football team for children with Down's syndrome — with a visit to celebrate them winning one of The Sun's Who Cares Wins awards. He took footballing son Romeo with him to lead a surprise training session. David celebrated his 50th last month with a string of parties, though Brooklyn stayed away. The honours will be formally announced later this month. The government does not comment on them beforehand.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Perth Now
Kathie Lee Gifford fears she will die ‘a lot sooner' than one of her closest friends
Kathie Lee Gifford fears she will die 'a lot sooner' than one of her closest friends. The 71-year-old former 'Today' show co-host appeared at the Plaza Hotel on Tuesday (03.06.25) to present an award to her long-time friend and former colleague Jill Martin, 49, who is now cancer free following treatment for stage two breast cancer, and she grew visibly emotional as she reflected on her mortality during her a speech at the City of Hope's Spirit of Life Luncheon in New York. She told attendees about how she feared her time on Earth was running out: 'Tick-tock, I better get off the stage.' Her appearance came just weeks after Kathie Lee revealed she had endured a 'really, really tough' few years marked by serious health issues and personal challenges. Kathie Lee, who lives in Tennessee, returned to New York for the luncheon, where she was assisted onto the stage by Jill – on the advice of what she described as her 'personal therapist's orders'. The presenter underwent a total hip replacement in June 2024 and later fractured her pelvis in two places during a fall at home, requiring hospitalisation for over a week. In her speech, Kathie Lee praised Jill's resilience throughout her cancer battle, calling her 'one of my favourite people on the entire planet'. She added: 'Over the years, our friendship has deepened us. Many do, if you are blessed. And honestly, I think about Jill and I smile even when she was going through her journey and she still is. 'We would get on the phone together and we pray and we'd laugh. I thank her for what she was doing for others.' Addressing the audience, Kathie Lee encouraged people to 'be there for people' regardless of what they were facing. And as her voice trembled, she added: 'So when I say that Jill will be my friend for life, I mean it. She will be there for me and I will be there for her. 'I'll probably go a lot sooner.' Kathie Lee, who previously co-hosted 'Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee', has spoken openly about recent health struggles. Speaking to OK! magazine, she said: 'I've had a really, really tough last three years with parts of my body that have just worn out because I did so much in my life. I had my hip replaced, I had my shoulder done – that was from an old injury that finally got so bad, I couldn't ignore it anymore. Yet my health is perfect! I am crumbling!'
News.com.au
7 days ago
- News.com.au
Spice Girls flock to Mel B's themed 50th bash
Spice Girl Melanie B celebrated her 50th birthday over the weekend – and two out of her four bandmates were there to celebrate with her. Fellow Spice Girls Melanie C and Emma Bunton were on hand for the celebrations, the pair both sticking to the night's strict dresscode: Mel's trademark Scary Spice leopard print. The party was held at the Habbibi hookah bar and restaurant in central Leeds, Mel's hometown. In recent years she's moved back to the northern UK city with her children, reconnecting with her mother and sister after a period of estrangement. But it appears that period is well and truly over – in footage from the night Mel shared on Instagram, she could be seen rolling on the floor with younger sister Danielle, the sisters laughing hysterically as they embraced. Other video shared from the event showed Mel dancing with her fellow Spice Girls to the group's 2000 hit Holler. All three Spices attended with their respective partners in tow: Mel B with her fiance, hairdresser Rory McPhee, Bunton with husband Jade Jones, and Melanie C with her Aussie model boyfriend Chris Dingwall. Notably absent at the party were the other two Spice Girls, Victoria Beckham and Geri Halliwell-Horner. Geri did at least wish Mel a Happy 50th on Instagram – although fans were quick to point out in the comment section that Mel is not one of the 83 accounts Geri follows on the platform (she does, however, follow all three other Spice Girls). It's perhaps not without cause: Mel B used the platform to publicly wish her former bandmate a happy 52nd birthday last year – but added a few digits to her age. 'Happy 75th bday Ginge,' she wrote. The last time all five members of the group were seen together was for Victoria's 50th bash in April last year. Meanwhile, speculation is growing – yet again – that the Spice Girls might soon embark on another reunion tour, this time to mark next year's 30th anniversary of the release of debut single Wannabe. The group's long-suffering Aussie fanbase might believe that when we see it. After ditching a planned Australian date during their first reunion tour in 2007, the group got Aussies' hopes up again the final night of their 2019 UK and Ireland reunion jaunt. Mel B made world headlines as the band said their goodbyes at Wembley Stadium, announcing 'we'll see you in February in Australia!' By the next morning she was walking back the comments many had interpreted as confirmation of what would've been the group's first Australian tour, explaining during a radio interview on 2Day FM: 'You know me by now. I announced it on stage, yes, without everybody else signing off 100 per cent, but I figured if I put it out there, maybe it's going to happen.'
