Huey Lewis opens up about life after Meniere's disease ended his music career

Huey Lewis has revealed that music is no longer part of his life eight years after losing his hearing to Meniere's disease and being forced to step away from performing.

Speaking on the Inside of You podcast the 75-year-old singer reflected on how the condition permanently changed both his career and daily life.

Lewis first lost hearing in his right ear during the 1990s but continued performing for more than two decades. When his left ear also failed in 2018, however, his music career came to an abrupt end.

Recalling his initial diagnosis Lewis said a specialist encouraged him to adapt explaining that many musicians had succeeded despite hearing loss.

He managed to continue performing with one functioning ear saying his brain adjusted well enough for concerts and in-ear monitors to work.

"But then my left ear bailed," Lewis said. "Now I'm deaf, basically, without the technology."

Today Lewis relies on a cochlear implant in his left ear and a hearing aid in his right. While the devices have significantly improved his ability to communicate they haven't restored his enjoyment of music.

"What has that done? Well, changed my life," he said. "Music is not part of my life anymore. It's a hard pill to swallow."

Lewis explained that voices sound distorted through the technology and music no longer has the warmth or richness he once loved.

"I can hear the beat and I know what's going on, but I can't enjoy it," he said. "Music used to be fun. Now I try so hard to get it, and it just ends up frustrating."

The Grammy-winning artist admitted the diagnosis triggered periods of depression especially during the first months after losing his hearing. He also acknowledged that he still misses performing live with his longtime bandmates.

Despite the loss Lewis said he has found comfort in fishing which has become a major passion since stepping away from music.

He described the hobby as feeling like he is "conducting nature" and said it has allowed him to explore beautiful places and meet people he otherwise never would have encountered while constantly touring.