Japanese popstar, Ayumi Hamasaki has recently announced on her fanclub blog, TeamAyu, that she is now deaf in her left ear as a result of almost ten years of performing.

Here is a translation of her blog entry:

I have a wild aspiration this year.

Last year, I went for an ear inspection and found out that my left ear has completely gone deaf. It's confirmed that there's neither therapy or cure for it. Despite this news, I still wish to be a singer.

I'm going to persevere and keep on singing even if it's going to take my right ear's ability to hear away too. I'm not going to give up. I'm not going to find any excuses. As a professional singer, I will definitely deliver my best vocals and performance to everybody.

I'm going to do my best! J don't like it this way either. I'm going to do my best! Definitely!

Until that day comes...

=====================

This is shocking and sadden news for Ayumi. To know that her left ear is completely deaf, she still strive to keep on singing. This reminds me of the Beethoven, indeed, how music talent gone deaf for love of music. I say, we all should give her extra credit for her courageousness.

Source: Ahforum

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wo...........yes that is very sad to hear that she is deaf in her left ear.....But man she sure is strong and brave...to want to continue with her singing no matter what. Goodluck and best wishes to you Ayumi! She sure is stunning though =].

You're Beautiful, You're Handsome!

how sad, but still her left deaf ear doesnt stop her to pursuing her dreams and career. You Go Girl!

this is so sad, oh! i admire her for being brave, for not giving up and i salute her.
if its me who suffer like this maybe i do not know what to do and maybe i would feel this is my end of the world.

O_O Not my AYU!!! Not my Ayu!!!! I'm proud of her though for saying that she'd still continue doing what she loves even if it makes her completely deaf.. This is very uplifting however I really hope it does not come to that.. She should wear earplugs from now on..

I keep my feet on solid ground
and use my wings when storms come around

oh man.. thats really upsetting
and deaf in one ear can really affect her.. hopefully she finds a way to get over this.
I guess its one of the downsides to being a performer.

I found a new message from Ayu translated by HiruNoKaze:

Quote:Translation by HiruNoKaze:
Umm...
No.205 January 5th, 2008 (Saturday) 1:13am

The volume of messages from you all is amazing, I decided to post again.*

"Mhmm" ... "Hey," ... "Yea..."

I have always, as much as I can, meant to keep honestly conveying my own feelings with my own words. I think you all definitely understand this.

Yes...right, I believe.
That's why...I write.
I write things I keep only in my heart, not even telling my beloved family members nor my staff.

Actually, no...strictly speaking, that's not true.
I only told Mama (I mean Mika John).
That my left ear cannot hear anymore.

I thought of going to the hospital because I felt distinctly that something strange happened to my ear.
I thought it was the earphone monitors and told the people around me I wanted to switch to new ones.

Honestly, when the doctor told me that there is no treatment and that it's too late, my mind went blank.
In my heart somewhere, I felt that if I just make the time necessary for surgery, my ear would be able to hear again.

But I was wrong.

I remember the doctor's eyes even now.
They looked regretful and apologetic. As if to say I'm sorry there's nothing we can do...

So, I laughed.

I didn't know why, but I said "I thought so", and laughed.
Surrounded by my beloved staff inside the hospital room, everything returned to silence.

But, please, I don't want you to read this with pessimism.

I have accepted this reality.

And, I want you to understand somehow that I'm not despairing, but that the light of my hopes shines forth.

Because, you've told me that you will become my left ear.
You've told me that, so that I'll be able to hear more and more, you'll shout out for me.

Hey...

So, with my remaining right ear, I'm gonna do this.
I'm not at all straining myself.
To me, it's my happiness.

Worrying is useless!!!!!!!!!!!

From here on, I going to keeping running forward like this~~~~~!!!
But, let's keep running together~~~~~~!!!!!!

I want to show you my dreams.
Unending, unfading.
I want to show you that kind of dream.
That is my wish.

Thank you, everyone, everyone, everyone...
Thank you, Mama.
Thank you,

My beloved big sister.

Let's do it, 10th year anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ayumi Hamasaki! Fighting! Okay so you're not Korean, but Fighting anyways! Ganbaru!

I admire her for not quitting!

It's a LOVE STORY, baby, just say YES!

How sad!!!

But I am so deeply admiring her for her optimism and for saying and I quote: Worrying is useless!!!!!!!!!!!... She is making her fans happy through this unhappy news... Music transcends all boundaries... more power to her!!!

I feel a whole lot of respect for Ayumi Hamasaki now. She's just an inspiration to the rest of us.

wow tens years of performing can cause ears to go deaf. i admire her for not being discouraged even though she could lose her right ear too.