Hwasa is a South Korean singer and a member of the girl group Mamamoo, known for powerful live vocals and big stage performances. In 2025 she spoke openly about her hearing, including tinnitus and trouble hearing in one ear, giving fans a rare look at a health issue many performers keep quiet.
What Hwasa has said about tinnitus
Speaking on the web show Crazy Rich Koreans in 2025, Hwasa said that loud sound triggers her tinnitus and that it keeps causing damage to her eardrum. She also said she has trouble hearing in her left ear.
She described an in-ear monitor bursting during a tour, a moment that gives a sense of how much sound performers deal with on tour. Her comments, reported by WION, are a useful reminder that even the equipment meant to help singers hear themselves needs careful setup.
Why pop and K-pop performers are at risk
Modern pop shows combine arena sound systems, booming backing tracks, pyrotechnics and thousands of cheering fans. NIOSH, the US agency for workplace safety, recommends keeping noise exposure under 85 decibels averaged over eight hours, and every 3-decibel increase halves the time that is considered safe. Stadium concerts and crowd noise can go well beyond that. For singers and dancers, the main sources include:
- In-ear monitors pushed up loud so a performer can hear the track over screaming crowds.
- Equipment faults, such as feedback, sudden pops or a malfunctioning earpiece, which can deliver sharp bursts of sound.
- Long dance rehearsals with music played loud in mirrored practice rooms.
- Fan noise, since a cheering arena can be extremely loud on its own.
- Busy schedules with travel, broadcasts and concerts that leave little quiet time for recovery.
Safer listening habits on stage and in daily life
In-ear monitors can actually protect hearing, because they block outside noise and let performers hear at a lower level than loud floor speakers. The key is how they are set up and used. These habits help performers, and many apply to fans using earbuds every day:
| Habit | What to do | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Use a limiter | Ask the sound engineer to cap the maximum in-ear level | Guards against sudden spikes and bursts of sound |
| Custom-fit earpieces | Molded in-ears that seal well in both ears | A good seal lets you hear clearly at lower volume |
| Lower everyday earbud volume | Keep phone listening moderate and take breaks | Reduces total daily sound exposure |
| Daily ear support | A formula you have reviewed with your doctor | Everyday support for ears and mind |
Fans can protect their ears too. Filtered earplugs at concerts keep the music clear while lowering the level, and standing away from the main speakers makes a noticeable difference. Many phones now include a headphone safety setting that warns you, or automatically lowers the volume, when listening has been loud for a long time.
After a concert or fan event, give your ears a quiet evening. Skipping the earbuds on the way home and keeping the TV low lets your hearing settle after hours of loud sound.
What tinnitus is, in plain terms
Tinnitus is the experience of hearing ringing, buzzing, whistling or hissing that has no outside source. In most people it is subjective, meaning only they hear it, while the rarer objective type may be heard by a doctor during an exam. Loud noise and hearing loss are the most frequent causes; earwax, ear infections, eardrum injuries and certain medicines can also be involved. A perforated eardrum often heals on its own, but it still needs a doctor’s check to protect against infection and to confirm hearing returns.
Over time, many people notice their tinnitus less as the brain adapts, which is known as habituation. Sound therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and hearing aids when hearing loss is present are common approaches. A hearing specialist can help you decide what to try first.
Tinnitus often feels louder on stressful or tiring days, which is common for anyone with a packed schedule. Regular sleep, short quiet breaks during the day and limiting caffeine late in the day are simple steps that many people find make the ringing easier to live with, even when the sound itself does not change.
A closer look at the ZenCortex formula
ZenCortex has been getting a lot of attention lately among people who live with ringing ears, and many of them have made it an easy part of their daily routine. The company describes it as a liquid formula with over 20 carefully selected ingredients, made in the USA, non-habit forming and free of stimulants. Among them:✓ Official site · Free US shipping on 6 bottles · 60-day money-back guarantee See today’s price →
- Grape seed and green tea, two sources of plant antioxidants
- Panax ginseng and astragalus, herbs with a long traditional use for vitality and clarity
- Gymnema sylvestre and capsicum annuum, part of the botanical blend
- Chromium picolinate and maca root, included for overall energy and well-being
How to get started today
- Have both ears examined. An ENT doctor can check the eardrum, and an audiologist can test each ear separately and advise on in-ear or earbud levels.
- Keep track of loud days. Our free Tinnitus Diary helps you note concerts, earbud time and sleep next to how the ringing feels.
- Add daily support for ears and mind. Along with safer listening, this is where many readers choose ZenCortex.
- Choose the best value. The 6-bottle package has the lowest price per bottle, free US shipping and two bonus e-books.
- $49 per bottle on the 6-bottle package (save $780)
- Free US shipping on every 6-bottle order
- 2 free bonus e-books on hearing and memory
- 60-day money-back guarantee
Common questions
Does Hwasa have tinnitus?
Yes. In 2025 she said on Crazy Rich Koreans that loud sound triggers her tinnitus, that it keeps damaging her eardrum and that she has trouble hearing in her left ear.
Can in-ear monitors damage hearing?
Any earpiece played too loud for too long can harm hearing, and faulty gear can produce sudden loud bursts. Used at moderate levels with a limiter and a good fit, in-ear monitors are often safer than loud stage speakers.
Can a damaged eardrum cause ringing?
Yes. A torn or perforated eardrum can cause ringing, muffled hearing and sometimes pain or discharge. Most small tears heal, but a doctor should examine the ear and advise on keeping water out while it heals.
Where can I order ZenCortex?
Only on the official website, which lists the current packages, the bonus e-books and the 60-day money-back guarantee.✓ Official site · Free US shipping on 6 bottles · 60-day money-back guarantee See today’s price →
In summary
Hwasa’s comments show how hard loud stages can be on a performer’s ears, from in-ear monitors to arena noise. Limiters, well-fitted earpieces, moderate earbud volume, quiet recovery time and prompt checkups for ear pain or hearing changes help protect hearing on and off stage.
For anyone ready to give their ears a little extra daily care, now is the perfect time to try ZenCortex, with free shipping on every 6-bottle order and a 60-day money-back guarantee.
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