Biff Byford , vocalist of Saxon , opened up about his hearing loss after 50 years of exposure to loud sounds as a heavy metal fan and performer.
With a solid career alongside the English band since its formation in 1977, Byford has over four decades of experience as the group's frontman. In the past, there were no regulations for the decibel levels of "noisy equipment," much less for personal musical devices.
This exposure resulted in progressive hearing loss for the musician, to the point where he couldn't hear fans and family during conversations. "I couldn't understand what they were saying, so I just kept repeating 'yes'," he said (via Blabbermouth ). "I knew my hearing was gradually getting worse, but I lived with it. I would be in the studio and hear a horrible buzzing, it felt like someone was screaming in my ear."
Besides the obvious professional complications, the singer also suffered in his personal life. “Dinner time with my family was especially difficult. I found it hard to hold a conversation, and gradually I just stopped trying,” he continued. “I would sit there and distance myself. Sometimes it was lonely.”.
Currently, Byford uses hearing aids and is monitored by a professional specializing in hearing loss resulting from exposure to music. Based on his own experience, the musician issues a warning to the public, encouraging fans over the age of 50 to get tested.
“Music is a form of escapism; when you’re at a show, it doesn’t matter what’s happening in the world, all that matters is being there. It helps people feel alive,” the artist observed. “The problem is that many people go to shows regularly, sometimes twice a week before the pandemic, and their ears really feel the impact of that, especially back when there were no sound restrictions in venues.”.
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