I walked into the studio to work on my album. As I walked into the back room my ears started ringing. It stopped shortly after so I thought nothing of it, and continued setting up my mic. The producer walked into the room, `` We´re ready when you are.” I nodded politely and walked into the music room and shut the door behind me. As I sat on my chair my ears started ringing, except this time the ringing was louder and a little painful. I pushed it aside so I could focus on my music. I put the headphones on and started singing. ¨ Alright that's it for today, good job Linda see you tomorrow”, The producer said as he gave me a thumbs up and left the room. I took my headphones off and realized my hearing got a lot worse. It was like the world was almost mute. I walked out to my car and started driving home. All of a sudden my hearing came back and it was like it never happened.
I locked my car door and stepped into my house.
“ Ah.¨ I winced as the ringing came back. “This isn’t normal,” I think to myself. I walked into my kitchen and dialed the hospital to schedule an appointment.
“Great, thank you so much.” I said as I hung up the phone. I walked to my room to go to sleep when I saw my boyfriend Bob, walk out of the room.
“Hey Love, how are you?” It sounded like he was whispering.
“What did you say?” I asked.
“How are you doing?” He said a little louder yet I still couldn’t make out what he was saying completely.
“What!?” I asked.
“Why are you yelling?” He asked. I
thought to myself, “I’m not even yelling.¨ “Oh sorry I am going to take a nap.” I say as I walk to the bedroom. I laid on the bed and wondered, “why I was having trouble hearing. This has never happened so why now?” I drifted off to sleep.
I woke up the next morning ready for my appointment to see what was going on. As I walked out to the car the same ringing in my ears happened again. I was able to push it aside this time and started driving to the hospital.
“Hello I am here for an appointment, Linda Ronstadt.” I say. The lady looks at me almost weirdly.
“Ok one second.” She says and looks down at her papers. “The doctor will be right with you.” She said.
“I’m sorry, what did you say?” I asked with a smile.
“I said the doctor will be with you shortly.”
The lady looked almost annoyed but yet I still didn't hear what she said but I decided to ignore it and go sit and just see what happens. I saw a male doctor walk up to me. I smile and stand up. “Hello Linda. I heard you're having trouble hearing. Is that right?”
I’m shocked because I finally was able to hear what someone said without asking them to speak up. “ Yes Everything now seems to have become a challenge.” I say back.
“Follow me.” The doctor starts to walk away and I follow. After the elevator we walked to the room and I sat on the bed. “So Linda we will just do some tests to find out what’s wrong.” I nodded and let him do his thing.
After a few tests he left the room for about 10 minutes and then came back.
“Linda there is no real easy way to say this but you have a very rare brain disorder called, progressive supranuclear palsy ( PSP).”
I froze. “What does that do to my singing career?” I asked shakily.
“Well due to this disorder you will no longer be able to sing, and you will need to wear a hearing aid from now on to help your hearing. There is no way to treat this problem because it is too late. So all we can do is give you hearing aid and monthly check ups.”
I wanted to break out in tears. My whole music career is gone. I won’t be able to step foot on the concert floors and perform for thousands of people. I can’t hear the fans as they cheer. I can’t see the large groups crowded outside waiting to get into the concert. My heart was just torn apart.