Rock-and-roll has always been about pushing boundaries, cranking up the volume, feeling the energy of the crowd, and delivering exhilarating performances. But for legendary musicians like Alice Cooper, the same high-decibel lifestyle that fuels their careers can also take a toll. After decades on stage, Cooper is now confronting a reality that many musicians face: hearing loss. 

He first noticed his hearing loss when it started getting difficult to understand TV dialogue. When he turned up the volume to hear better, his wife would point out how loud it was. 

“I’d be watching TV and I’m going, ‘I’m only picking up half of what they’re saying,’” Cooper explained.  

This experience is common for many people who develop hearing loss—which often starts as a slight struggle to hear dialogue on television, or missing parts of conversations.