[Shocking news] TA message 204

[Jwiz]

Sad and hate to see ayu ended up in this state.

part of me wants japan to know this shocking news..showing them how much ayu had gone through and the tremendous efforts that she had put in.

[Aga-chan]

ayu is purely... awesome. I'm quite speechless. She really should slow down. Specially when it comes to concerts.

[alternarist]

OMFG!!!! I NEARLY SPAT OUT THE WATER I JUS DRANK... i am still in the state of shock.. i cannot believe this. i thought ayu has always taken care of her ear by putting on ear plugs???

its sad to see how much ayu has sacrificed for her career.... her health is deteriorating and she wants to continue put up a good show... i feel sad

[Sasha]

I wanna cry T.T

[Jwiz]

being in such situation..it's really unfair for ayu.

[jon_the_d]

So sad...

from wikipedia:

Long term exposure to environmental noise
Populations of people living near airports or freeways are exposed to levels of noise typically in the 65 to 75 dbA range. If lifestyles include significant outdoor or open window conditions, these exposures over time can degrade hearing. The U.S. EPA and various states have set noise standards to protect people from these adverse health risks. The EPA has identified the level of 70 db(A) for 24 hour exposure as the level necessary to protect the public from hearing loss (EPA, 1974).

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) typically is centered at 4000 Hz.
The louder the noise is, the shorter the safe amount of exposure is. Normally, the safe amount of exposure is reduced by a factor 2 for every additional 3 dB. For example, the safe daily exposure amount at 85 dB is 8 hours, while the safe exposure at 91 dB(A) is only 2 hours (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1998). Sometimes, a factor 2 per 5 dB is used.
Personal electronic audio devices, such as iPods (which can reach 115 decibels or higher), can produce powerful enough sound to cause significant Noise-Induced Hearing Loss, given that lesser intensities of even 85 dB can also cause hearing loss.

These concerts must be the cause of it, and the things she puts in her ears I always thought were NOT ear plugs, but headphones to be able to take direction from the producer/director, which would have to be on SUPER loud for her to be able to hear them over the whole concert...which is really sad cos it's the inner ear headphones (see the note on Ipod above) which can do the most damage wiithout you realising....

I hope the right ear isn't too bad, she can't let it deteriorate any further...

And all her fans should stop shouting and screaming so much!!!! whisper from now on! OK?!?!

[HanabiChick]

Poor Ayu, I hope she will take care of her other ear this year and not have such a big schedule

[jon_the_d]

more from wiki:

Exposure to very loud noise (90 dB or more, such as jet engines at close range) can cause progressive hearing loss. Exposure to a single event of extremely loud noise (such as explosions) can also cause temporary or permanent hearing loss. A typical source of acoustic trauma is a too-loud music concert.

just thought I'd look into modern implants and such, artificial ears and things like that:
here

also, the fact that her right ear is still functioning (though we don;t know how well):

Unilateral hearing loss
People with unilateral hearing loss (single sided deafness/SSD) can hear normally in one ear, but have trouble hearing out of the other ear. Problems with this type of deficit is inability to localize sounds (ie. unable to tell where traffic is coming from) and inability to process out background noise in a noisy environment, such as in a restaurant.

anyway, with only one ear totally deaf, and with rapid advances in medical technology, don't give up hope...

in the mean time, she'll have to take as much care of her good ear as humanly possible.

[kiseki89]

Originally Posted by jon_the_d

more from wiki:



just thought I'd look into modern implants and such, artificial ears and things like that:
here

also, the fact that her right ear is still functioning (though we don;t know how well):


anyway, with only one ear totally deaf, and with rapid advances in medical technology, don't give up hope...

in the mean time, she'll have to take as much care of her good ear as humanly possible.

I really hope so.

[jon_the_d]

yikes! on second thoughts/further reading:

He described the robotic sound of human voices perceived through the cochlear implant as "a croaking dalek with laryngitis".

AND

As with every medical procedure, the surgery involves a certain amount of risk; in this case, the risks include skin infection, onset of tinnitus, damage to the vestibular system, and damage to facial nerves that can cause muscle weakness, or, in worst cases, disfiguring paralysis. There is also the risk of device failure, usually where the incision does not heal properly. This occurs in 2% of cases and the device must be removed. The operation also may destroy any residual hearing the patient may have; as a result, some doctors advise single-ear implantation, saving the other ear in case a biological treatment becomes available in future.

perhaps better hope for more improvements first

especially if you see the picture!!!!

robo ayu!?!?!

[A-TeensFan]

OMG, i'll support you forever Ayu~~~ keep goin' !!!! we love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[criminal]

Oh my god. This is really upsetting. Though I can't stop thinking about Foxy Brown. I remember that she also was deaf in one ear, but now has regained full use of it thanks to some treatment/surgery. Maybe there is a chance? But maybe the rapper had a whole different diagnosis.

I don't know what I should wish for her. She practically said it herself. She's a fighter, alright.

My respect for the woman just quadrupled in the matter of a second.

[truehappiness]

The in-ear-monitors she uses during concerts are to hear herself as well as the band..., not to hear instructions from directors, as she rehearses all the moves done during the performances beforehand..

[micster]

Originally Posted by HanabiChick

Poor Ayu, I hope she will take care of her other ear this year and not have such a big schedule

Not possible - She's got her 2008 Asia Tour ;/

[jon_the_d]

she can always cancel it

[Yoake]

Poor Ayu. It is terrible for a singer to lose hearing.

We support you Ayu You won't be alone

[LacusClyne]

Originally Posted by jon_the_d

she can always cancel it

no...call me selfish, but i want her to come to singapore for concert.

the tickets will be sold very fast, even un-ayu fans will be curious and want to hear her.

[micster]

Originally Posted by jon_the_d

she can always cancel it

She could but she probably wont because she'll feel that she's not doing justice to her fans outside of Japan

This is so horrible to hear.
I really hope Ayu cuts down her schedule and takes it more easy.
I think she needs a well earned break.
It could explain her shaky performances recently :S