Electronic music pioneer Gary Numan has revealed that decades of performing at high volumes have left him with severe hearing loss, saying he is now “90% deaf.” The legendary synth-pop artist opened up about the issue during an appearance on the I’m ADHD! No You’re Not podcast, explaining that years of loud amplifiers and concerts have taken a serious toll on his hearing.
Numan said he now relies on hearing aids in daily life, pointing to the small devices he wears to help him communicate. The musician admitted that the hearing damage accumulated gradually over the course of his career, which began in the late 1970s when he rose to fame with the band Tubeway Army before launching a successful solo career.
The singer also noted that his hearing loss affected other parts of his life. One example was his long-time hobby of display flying, which he eventually gave up in part because the condition made it increasingly difficult and potentially unsafe to continue.
Beyond discussing his health, Numan shared strong opinions about the growing influence of artificial intelligence in music. While some artists have embraced AI technology, the musician said he remains skeptical about its role in creative work. In his view, AI-generated songs lack the authentic human experiences that give music emotional meaning.
“What you are listening to [with AI] is a learned copy of a human experience,” Numan said, arguing that listeners connect with music because it reflects real life and genuine emotion from the person who created it.
Despite his concerns about technology replacing creativity, Numan believes human-made art will ultimately endure. Even as AI becomes more capable, he suspects audiences will continue to seek music created from real human experiences rather than algorithmic imitations.
Numan remains one of the most influential figures in electronic music. Rising to prominence in 1979 with hits like “Cars” and “Are ‘Friends’ Electric?”, he helped shape the sound of synth-pop and electronic rock, selling millions of records and influencing generations of artists.
Electronic music pioneer Gary Numan has revealed that decades of performing at high volumes have left him with severe hearing loss, saying he is now “90% deaf.” The legendary synth-pop artist opened up about the issue during an appearance on the I’m ADHD! No You’re Not podcast, explaining that years of loud amplifiers and concerts have taken a serious toll on his hearing.Numan said he now relies on hearing aids in daily life, pointing to the small devices he wears to help him communicate. The musician admitted that the hearing damage accumulated gradually over the course of his career, which began in the late 1970s when he rose to fame with the band Tubeway Army before launching a successful solo career.
The singer also noted that his hearing loss affected other parts of his life. One example was his long-time hobby of display flying, which he eventually gave up in part because the condition made it increasingly difficult and potentially unsafe to continue.
Beyond discussing his health, Numan shared strong opinions about the growing influence of artificial intelligence in music. While some artists have embraced AI technology, the musician said he remains skeptical about its role in creative work. In his view, AI-generated songs lack the authentic human experiences that give music emotional meaning.
“What you are listening to [with AI] is a learned copy of a human experience,” Numan said, arguing that listeners connect with music because it reflects real life and genuine emotion from the person who created it.
Despite his concerns about technology replacing creativity, Numan believes human-made art will ultimately endure. Even as AI becomes more capable, he suspects audiences will continue to seek music created from real human experiences rather than algorithmic imitations.
Numan remains one of the most influential figures in electronic music. Rising to prominence in 1979 with hits like “Cars” and “Are ‘Friends’ Electric?”, he helped shape the sound of synth-pop and electronic rock, selling millions of records and influencing generations of artists.
Numan said he now relies on hearing aids in daily life, pointing to the small devices he wears to help him communicate. The musician admitted that the hearing damage accumulated gradually over the course of his career, which began in the late 1970s when he rose to fame with the band Tubeway Army before launching a successful solo career.
The singer also noted that his hearing loss affected other parts of his life. One example was his long-time hobby of display flying, which he eventually gave up in part because the condition made it increasingly difficult and potentially unsafe to continue.
Beyond discussing his health, Numan shared strong opinions about the growing influence of artificial intelligence in music. While some artists have embraced AI technology, the musician said he remains skeptical about its role in creative work. In his view, AI-generated songs lack the authentic human experiences that give music emotional meaning.
“What you are listening to [with AI] is a learned copy of a human experience,” Numan said, arguing that listeners connect with music because it reflects real life and genuine emotion from the person who created it.
Despite his concerns about technology replacing creativity, Numan believes human-made art will ultimately endure. Even as AI becomes more capable, he suspects audiences will continue to seek music created from real human experiences rather than algorithmic imitations.
Numan remains one of the most influential figures in electronic music. Rising to prominence in 1979 with hits like “Cars” and “Are ‘Friends’ Electric?”, he helped shape the sound of synth-pop and electronic rock, selling millions of records and influencing generations of artists.