Huey Lewis Loses Most of His Hearing, Cancels Shows

Huey Lewis has had to cancel the rest of his tour dates in 2018 for one of the worst of reasons as a musician: He's nearly deaf. In a statement, the singer says he "lost most of my hearing" a few months ago before a show in Dallas, and doctors think he has the inner ear disorder Meniere's disease, per Billboard. "Although I can still hear a little, one on one and on the phone, I can't hear music well enough to sing," writes Lewis, 67. "The lower frequencies distort violently making it impossible to find pitch."

Lewis, however, says he hopes to improve and return to performing at some point. Rolling Stone notes that Ryan Adams had to take a two-year break from touring in 2011 after the same diagnosis of Meniere's disease. The disorder is a "somewhat mysterious condition" that often results from a viral infection, reports USA Today. Those suffering from it often have dizzy spells and severe vertigo, but it can be treated, especially if caught early. (More Huey Lewis stories.)