Huey Lewis on His Devastating Meniere’s Diagnosis: ‘It Can Get Better; It Just Hasn’t’
Huey Lewis has opened up about the health condition that forced the cancellation of his entire slate of 2018 performances – and his future as a performer.
Lewis noted a diagnosis of Meniere's Disease at the time, admitting that symptoms of the inner-ear disorder set in two and half months prior, just ahead of a performance in Dallas, Texas. Now he's explaining just what that means for him.
"As I walked to the stage [in Dallas], it sounded like there was a jet engine going on," he said in an interview this morning on Today. "I knew something was wrong. I couldn't find pitch. Distorted. Nightmare. It's cacophony."
The disorder can cause progressive hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus and ear pressure. He previously disclosed visits to the House Ear Institute, the Stanford Ear Institute and the Mayo Clinic in a search for answers. Most recently, Lewis has been working with the Starkey Hearing Foundation on experimental technology that has the potential to help filter out the noise.
"Even though I can hear you, we can talk, I can talk on the phone — I can't sing," he said. "I can't hear music. I can do everything but what I love to do the most, which is a drag."
Lewis has already called off 60 shows; the disorder also struck while he was working on a new album and developing a Broadway musical based on his hits.
"I want to say I'm sorry," he added. "Clearly, we're not spring chickens, but I've always prided myself on being reliable. I really feel bad for my guys, my team that we've been doing this for so many years together. It can get better; it just hasn't yet. I haven't come to grips with the fact that I may never sing again. I'm still hoping I'm gonna get better. They say a positive attitude is important."