What do Tinseltown darling Halle Berry and musician Eric Clapton have in common? Besides being successful celebrities, did you know they suffer from hearing loss?
Today is International Day of Sign Languages and we take a quick look at stars who were born deaf as well as those who developed hearing loss due to an illness or trauma.
How they have remained resilient despite their conditions and continue to excel in their respective fields are stories worth telling.
Born in Illinois, the United States, Matlin lost her hearing when she was a baby. However, she has gone on to stamp her mark in Hollywood by becoming an award-winning actress. She is the only deaf actress who has clinched an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in the romance film Children of a Lesser God (1986).
This Oscar award-winning actress and former beauty queen is known for her stunning looks and acting talent. While she might seem to have it all, Berry has lost 80% of her hearing in her right ear due to a traumatic brain injury caused by her former boyfriend. She is also an advocate against domestic violence and climate change.
This American actress has carved a name for herself in TV, namely as a deaf character in The Walking Dead film and theatre productions. Earlier this year, it was announced that Ridloff will be portraying the first deaf superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film Eternals, scheduled to be released in November.
Acclaimed award-winning actor, director and activist Robert Redford lost part of his hearing during the 2013 filming of All Is Lost. The senior citizen chose to do his stunts during the movie’s filming, resulting in an ear infection that caused a 60% loss of hearing in his left ear.
Years, or rather decades, of turning up the amp to his music has caused damage to Eric Clapton's hearing. Arguably one of the most talented guitarists in the music scene, Clapton suffers from tinnitus, a ringing or buzzing noise in his ears that can interfere with hearing sounds. According to the online entertainment website billboard.com, Clapton also suffers from peripheral neuropathy, which causes weakness and pain in the hands and feet, making it challenging to play the guitar.
Find out how a deaf-hearing couple's relationship stays strong in StarLifestyle tomorrow.
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Stars with hearing loss
We love you too: Matlin's hearing loss has never been an obstacle in her acting career. Photo: AFP
Redford suffered an ear infection during the filming of 'All Is Lost'. Photo: Handout
Berry lost 80% of her hearing in the right ear due to a traumatic brain injury. Photo: AFP
Clapton (right) suffers from tinnitus, a ringing or buzzing noise in his ears that can interfere with hearing sounds. Photo: Handout
