Ayumi Hamasaki Is Losing Her Hearing Completely

Ayumi Hamasaki has been deaf in her left ear since 2008 after suffering from a cold and ear infection in 2000.

Doctors had warned her back then to reduce her exposure to loud noises and cut down her hectic schedule in order to heal.

But despite her condition, the 38-year-old pop princess continued touring and performing.

Two days ago, Hamasaki finally shared the unfortunate news via her blog Team Ayu.

Doctors have performed multiple hearing tests on her and confirmed that she is indeed going deaf after years of overworking her right ear to compensate for her deaf left ear.

One can only imagine how a musician would feel after receiving news that another one of her most important instruments is failing soon.

“I don’t have a clear memory of my journey home after that. I just remember wondering how I, as a singer, would cope with two useless ears. Other than that, I was in darkness,” she wrote as translated by Arama Japan.

But she’s not going to let this stop her again.

“The stage is where I belong. It’s the only place I really, truly exist. I don’t know anything else. There’s no point in worrying about what lies ahead.

“I will keep listening, even if I can’t hear. I will keep moving, even if I can’t move. I’m not looking for sympathy or pity. I will hold my head high and keep going forward until my last breath.”

What a remarkable artist.