Paul Simon Discusses Hearing Loss and Research Efforts

Paul Simon, experiencing severe hearing loss while working on his album 'Seven Psalms', has adapted his performances to predominantly acoustic versions, eliminating louder songs like 'You Can Call Me Al'. He has only about 6% hearing in his left ear, prompting concerns about his ability to enjoy making music. In search of a cure, Simon visited the Stanford Initiative to Cure Hearing Loss, where researchers are studying how animals like zebrafish and mice regenerate hearing cells, potentially offering hope for human treatments. Dr. Konstantina Stankovic, leading the initiative, emphasized the challenges posed by the fragility of the inner ear. Simon remains optimistic about creativity, stating that disabilities shouldn't hinder artistic expression. His journey reflects a broader issue as hearing loss affects nearly 1.5 billion people globally.