EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA – Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Paul Simon shares his personal journey with hearing loss in a new episode of Starkey Sound Bites, hosted by Starkey’s Chief Hearing Health Officer, Dr. Dave Fabry. The candid interview offers a rare glimpse into how Simon has navigated the emotional and professional impact of sudden hearing loss, and how it continues to influence his creative process and approach to performance.
Now available on Starkey’s YouTube channel, the episode explores Simon’s resilience, adaptation, and evolving artistry. In addition to reflecting on the challenges of reduced hearing, Simon discusses the support he has found in hearing aids, and how iconic songs such as The Sound of Silence have taken on new personal meaning.
Simon also speaks about his upcoming tour, A Quiet Celebration, which reimagines the live music experience for both artist and audience in light of his hearing journey.
Highlights from the conversation include:
- Coping with sudden and profound hearing loss in one ear
- The emotional and creative adjustment process
- The role hearing technology plays in continuing to make and perform music
- The broader impact of hearing loss on personal connection and self-expression
Simon’s story underscores the importance of reducing stigma around hearing loss and investing in hearing health and innovation. Following his own diagnosis, Simon has also engaged with researchers and clinicians at the Stanford Initiative to Cure Hearing Loss (SICHL) to better understand hearing-related conditions and to help raise awareness.
This episode continues Starkey’s mission to elevate the conversation around hearing health, not just as a clinical issue, but as a deeply human one—central to connection, creativity, and well-being.
Watch the full episode of Starkey Sound Bites featuring Paul Simon on Starkey’s YouTube channel. New episodes explore the intersection of hearing science, technology, and personal stories.
About Starkey
Starkey is a privately held, global hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Founded by Bill Austin in 1967, Starkey is recognized for its leadership in the design, development, and distribution of advanced digital hearing systems. Today, under the leadership of President and CEO Brandon Sawalich, Starkey remains the only American-owned provider of hearing technologies, employing over 5,000 people and operating in more than 100 markets worldwide. Learn more at starkey.com.
**Image credit: Starkey, Wikipedia
