Steve Kilbey is the Australian singer and bass player of the rock band The Church. Over a long career on the road, he has also spoken publicly about tinnitus and about what years of touring have meant for his hearing.
What Steve Kilbey has said about tinnitus
In a 2016 interview with the Illinois Entertainer, Kilbey said that his hearing was declining quickly after touring. He described coming home from the road and finding the tinnitus very loud.
In the same conversation, he questioned how much longer he could keep touring at that pace. It was a frank comment from a working musician about the trade-off between playing live and protecting his ears.
Why touring musicians are at risk
Night after night of amplified sound puts real strain on the inner ear. Noise-induced hearing loss happens when loud sound damages the tiny hair cells that turn vibrations into signals for the brain, and those cells do not grow back. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends limiting exposure to 85 dBA averaged over eight hours, and every 3-decibel increase cuts the safe time in half. A rock show on stage can go well beyond that level. Common sources of risk on tour include:
- Bass rigs and stage wedges. Low frequencies carry a lot of energy, and bass players often stand close to their cabinets to feel the groove.
- The drummer’s cymbals. Sharp, high-pitched peaks from cymbals reach everyone on a small stage.
- Back-to-back shows. Ears that ring after one night may not fully recover before the next.
- Loud travel. Flights, vans and tour buses add hours of background noise between gigs.
- Soundchecks and rehearsals. These sessions are often done without ear protection, yet they can last for hours.
Hearing-protection habits for life on the road
Protecting your hearing on tour does not mean giving up the sound you love. It means managing the dose and giving your ears time to recover. These steps are simple to build into any schedule:
| Tour moment | Habit | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Soundcheck | Wear musician’s earplugs from the first note | Cuts hours of unprotected exposure |
| On stage | Use in-ear monitors at a modest level | Lowers overall stage volume |
| Travel days | Noise-canceling headphones with low or no music | Gives ears a quieter break |
| Daily ear support | A formula you have reviewed with your doctor | Everyday support for ears and mind |
A yearly hearing test is also worth adding to the calendar. Comparing results over time shows whether your habits are protecting you or whether you need to make more changes.
What tinnitus is, in plain terms
Tinnitus is the experience of hearing a sound, such as ringing, hissing, buzzing or humming, when no outside sound is there. Most tinnitus is subjective, which means only the person who has it can hear it. Objective tinnitus, which a doctor can sometimes hear with a stethoscope, is much less common. Noise exposure, age-related hearing changes, earwax, ear infections and some medicines are among the common causes.
For many people, tinnitus becomes less bothersome over time through a process called habituation, in which the brain learns to tune the sound out. Sound therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and hearing aids, when there is hearing loss, can all help people live comfortably with it. An audiologist or ear, nose and throat doctor can explain which approach fits best.
It also helps to know that tinnitus often rises and falls. Many people notice it more after a loud evening, during a stressful week or when they are short on sleep, and less on calm, well-rested days. Keeping track of those swings gives you and your hearing professional useful clues, and it can make the sound feel more predictable and less worrying.
A closer look at the ZenCortex formula
Earplugs and rest are always the base of good hearing care. Beyond those habits, ZenCortex is a formula many people with ringing ears have been talking about lately, and many of them have made ZenCortex 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
- Get a baseline hearing test. An audiologist can measure your hearing now so future changes are easy to spot.
- Track loud days and quiet days. Our free Tinnitus Diary helps you see how shows, travel and rest affect the ringing.
- Add daily support for ears and mind. Next to good ear protection, 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 Steve Kilbey have tinnitus?
He has said in a 2016 interview that his hearing was declining quickly after touring and that the tinnitus was very loud when he came home. He also questioned how much longer he could keep touring at that pace.
Why is tinnitus louder after a tour or a long trip?
After days of loud sound, the ears can be temporarily overloaded, and quiet surroundings at home make the ringing stand out more. If it does not settle after a few days, see a hearing professional.
Can musicians keep playing with tinnitus?
Many do, with careful volume control, good earplugs or in-ear monitors and regular hearing tests. An audiologist who works with musicians can help plan safe habits.
Do in-ear monitors protect your hearing?
They can, when they fit well and the mix is kept at a moderate level. Because they block much of the stage noise, many performers can hear themselves clearly at a lower volume. Turned up too high, though, they become another source of loud sound, so a limiter and regular hearing tests are wise.
Where can I buy ZenCortex?
Through 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
Steve Kilbey has spoken honestly about hearing that was declining after touring and tinnitus that felt very loud once he got home. His words are a useful reminder for anyone who plays or loves live music: protect your ears at soundchecks and shows, rest them between loud days, get regular hearing tests and see a doctor quickly if anything changes suddenly.
Whether you play every night or just love live music, 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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