Two prominent Hong Kong singers, Chow Ki-Pui and Marcus Chang, recently shared poignant personal experiences with temporary hearing impairment while rehearsing for the “Hear the Love” 20th Anniversary Charity Concert, scheduled for 2026. The artists revealed their individual struggles with sudden auditory issues, emphasizing the emotional distress and practical challenges faced by the hearing-impaired community, ultimately reinforcing the significance of the upcoming charitable event dedicated to supporting hearing health.
During a rehearsal session held today, Chow Ki-Pui, who gained recognition as a singer after a previous career in journalism, recounted a terrifying incident where an ordinary cold led to a significant loss of function in his left ear. At the time of the illness, Chow estimated that his hearing capacity dropped to a mere 30 percent. “I felt extreme panic,” Chow stated, reflecting on the profound vulnerability that the experience imposed. He noted that the temporary disability offered him a rare, firsthand glimpse into the daily struggles endured by those with permanent hearing loss. While his hearing eventually recovered, Chow speculated that years spent performing in bands might have contributed to an overall imbalance, with his left ear remaining notably weaker.
Fellow singer Marcus Chang also detailed a scare involving his right ear. Chang recalled that prior to participating in the reality singing competition Midlife, Sing! 3, he had traveled to Taiwan to take diving lessons. The sport, while enjoyable, led to a severe ear infection that temporarily muffled his hearing. Chang admitted the compromised sensitivity caused him considerable anxiety, though his condition gradually improved. When asked whether the incidence would deter him from returning to the water, Chang expressed his enthusiasm for diving, noting he still harbors ambitions to earn his diving certification despite the past setback.
Raising Awareness for Auditory Health
The anecdotes provided by Chow and Chang serve to highlight the broad spectrum of risk factors contributing to hearing impairment, ranging from acute infections and sudden illness to long-term exposure to loud noise—a common issue among musicians and those in the entertainment industry. Temporary or sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) often requires immediate medical attention and can cause significant distress, underscoring the urgent need for widespread auditory health education.
The “Hear the Love” 20th Anniversary Charity Concert, for which the singers were rehearsing, aims to raise funds and awareness for organizations dedicated to assisting individuals with hearing impairment. The commitment shown by both singers in speaking candidly about their personal episodes adds a genuine, relatable dimension to the philanthropic mission.
Hearing health experts often stress the importance of preventative care, including the proper use of hearing protection in loud environments and prompt consultation with an audiologist or ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist upon noticing any significant changes in auditory function, such as sudden muffled sounds, ringing (tinnitus), or noticeable decreases in volume perception. The narratives shared by these artists underscore that listening discomfort can affect anyone, regardless of age or profession, making public awareness campaigns like this charity concert crucial for promoting early detection and intervention. The 2026 event is expected to be a major platform for advocating for better support services for the hearing-impaired population.
