Martin Kemp and his wife Shirlie have openly discussed how their love for blaring music in their youth has affected their health.
The pair, who are parents to The One Show host Roman Kemp, were guests on a January episode of That Gaby Roslin Podcast, where they delved into their struggles with tinnitus, a condition affecting over 7 million people in the UK which causes sufferers to hear noise that isn’t generated externally.
Reflecting on their time in the vibrant ’80s music scene, they attribute their condition to those days. Early in the chat, Gaby highlighted that both Martin and Shirlie grapple with this auditory issue, SurreyLive reports.
Tinnitus is marked by hearing sounds with no outside source, such as ringing or buzzing, either in one ear, both, or in the head. Various triggers for these symptoms are acknowledged by the NHS.
Shirlie recounted: “Yeah, well, it was not surprising, both being in bands in the ’80s and clubbing in the ’80s and it was…well, I used to go and see punk bands all the time, the same as Martin did, but always up the front by the speakers.”
Adding his perspective, Martin attributed his own case of tinnitus to musical habits, noting: “I only have it in my left ear and that’s from where I used to play my guitar. My left ear used to be pointed at my amplifiers, so we were a young band and it was never turn something down to make it sound good; it was turn it up!”
He explained his youthful mentality saying: “If you’ve got number 11 on it, turn it up to number 11 and the louder you were, the more rock and roll it was or so you know, you believe when you’re young and you pay the price when you’re older.”
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Regarding her own struggle with tinnitus, Shirlie admitted: “When I first had it, it actually drove me mad and I didn’t think I could live with it.”
She detailed that the condition started after the birth of her son Roman, now 31, comparing its persistent noise to that of living beside a “generator”. Now accustomed to the ringing, she deals with the condition through meditation with headphones, while her partner Martin jokingly said her “generator” powers his “high-pitch whistle”.
The NHS notes that while the precise causes of tinnitus remain somewhat mysterious, it’s associated with various issues such as hearing loss, Ménière’s disease, diabetes, thyroid difficulties, multiple sclerosis, and even emotional strains like anxiety or depression.
Healthline also suggests that exposure to loud noises from concerts, fireworks, or machinery can provoke tinnitus; meanwhile, the NHS recommends avoiding loud sound and stress to help manage the affliction.
The NHS suggests a few strategies for managing the condition, including relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and yoga, as well as improving sleep habits by cutting down on caffeine and establishing a regular bedtime routine. They also recommend joining a support group as a coping mechanism for those dealing with tinnitus.
For more comprehensive information on tinnitus, you can visit the NHS website.
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