Rachel Goswell is an English rock singer known for her work with Slowdive, Mojave 3 and Minor Victories. She has spoken publicly about losing much of the hearing on one side and about the tinnitus that came with it, an experience that shows ear noise does not always start with a loud night.
What Rachel Goswell has said about tinnitus
Goswell has explained that in 2006 she had labyrinthitis, a viral infection of the inner ear, which left her with significant hearing loss on her left side. She has said the same ear now has permanent tinnitus.
In an interview with Stereogum, she also described the tinnitus getting worse during a Slowdive tour of the United States. Her account is a useful reminder that musicians can face more than one kind of risk to their ears, and that touring can make an existing problem harder to manage.
Why musicians are at risk, and why infections matter too
Most talk about musicians and hearing focuses on volume, and with good reason. NIOSH recommends keeping noise below 85 decibels averaged over an eight-hour day, and every 3 decibels above that halves the safe time; a full band on stage can be far louder. But the inner ear can also be harmed by infection. Labyrinthitis is inflammation of the inner ear, usually after a virus, and it can bring vertigo, nausea, hearing loss and ringing. The spinning often settles over days or weeks, while hearing changes can last. Risks worth knowing include:
- Stage volume from guitars, drums and monitor wedges, night after night.
- Inner ear infections such as labyrinthitis, which can affect hearing, balance or both.
- Single-sided hearing loss, which makes protecting the remaining good ear even more important.
- Tour fatigue: short nights, travel and stress can make ringing feel more intrusive.
- Flying with a heavy cold, when blocked ears struggle with pressure changes and can become painful.
Protecting your hearing on tour and at home
Whether you play in a band or simply love live music, a few habits make a real difference, especially if one ear already has less hearing than the other.
| Habit | What to do | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| In-ear monitors with a limiter | Set a sensible maximum level with your sound engineer | Keeps the mix clear without sudden loud peaks |
| Filtered earplugs | Custom or high-fidelity plugs for rehearsals and shows | Lowers the level evenly so music still sounds natural |
| Rest between dates | Plan quiet time and sleep on days off | Tired ears and a tired brain notice ringing more |
| Daily ear support | A formula you have reviewed with your doctor | Everyday support for ears and mind |
If you catch a cold before a flight, ask a pharmacist whether a decongestant suits you, and try swallowing or yawning during descent to help your ears equalize.
At home, the quietest moments can be the hardest, since ringing stands out in silence. A fan, a sound machine or soft music at bedtime gives the brain something gentler to focus on. People with hearing loss on one side may also find that background noise in restaurants makes conversations tiring, so choosing a seat with the better ear toward the table can help.
What tinnitus is, in plain terms
Tinnitus means hearing ringing, buzzing, hissing or other sounds that do not come from the outside world. Nearly all of it is subjective, heard only by the person; a rare objective form can be heard by a doctor and usually has a blood-flow or muscle cause. Noise, gradual hearing loss, earwax, ear infections and some medicines are common contributors. Tinnitus is closely linked with hearing loss, which is why it often appears on the same side as the weaker ear.
Many people find that the sound bothers them less over time as the brain learns to tune it out, a process called habituation. Sound therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and hearing aids where there is hearing loss are well-established ways to make tinnitus easier to live with. For hearing loss in one ear, audiologists can also explain options such as CROS hearing aids, which route sound from the weaker side to the better ear.
A closer look at the ZenCortex formula
Many people living with ear noise have been talking about ZenCortex recently, and quite a few have made it part of their morning routine alongside their other healthy habits. 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
- See an ENT or audiologist. A full hearing test shows how each ear is doing, and the specialist can talk through options for one-sided hearing loss and ringing.
- Track the hard days. Our free Tinnitus Diary helps you link travel, colds, loud events and sleep with how loud the ringing seems.
- Add daily support for ears and mind. Once your specialist has checked your ears, 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 Rachel Goswell have tinnitus?
Yes. She has said that labyrinthitis in 2006 left her with hearing loss on her left side and permanent tinnitus in that ear, and that it got worse during a Slowdive tour of the US.
Can an ear infection cause tinnitus?
Yes, it can. Middle ear infections often cause temporary muffled hearing and ringing that clear as the infection settles. Inner ear infections such as labyrinthitis can sometimes leave lasting hearing loss and tinnitus, which is why new symptoms deserve a doctor’s look.
Why is tinnitus sometimes only in one ear?
It often follows the ear with more hearing loss. Because one-sided ringing can occasionally point to other problems, doctors usually want to examine it and may order further tests.
Where can I get ZenCortex?
From the official website, which lists the current packages, the two 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
Rachel Goswell’s experience shows that tinnitus can begin with an inner ear infection as well as with loud music, and that touring can make it harder to live with. Fast care for sudden hearing loss, sensible stage volume, filtered earplugs, rest and regular hearing checks all help protect the hearing you have.
With your hearing checked and your daily habits in place, now is the perfect time to try ZenCortex, with free shipping on every 6-bottle order and a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Was this article helpful?
Thanks for your feedback — it helps us improve our coverage.
Get the Daily Health View briefing
The day's most important health news, explained clearly. One short email a day. Unsubscribe anytime.
