KT Tunstall pulls out of tour over hearing loss fears

Singer KT Tunstall has pulled out of a summer of gigging fearing she could be putting her hearing at further risk.

The Scottish star, who lost hearing in her left ear in 2018, was due to tour with US duo Hall & Oates as well as her own shows, but announced on social media she was having to cancel.

Tunstall told fans the decision had been "extremely difficult" but that she had to "put my hearing health first".

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In a lengthy statement on social media, the Suddenly I See singer said: "Permanently losing 100% of my hearing in my left ear whilst on tour in 2018 was an enormous shock, and the result of touring without adequate periods of rest, which caused an acute physical breakdown.

"After a recent run of consecutive shows in July, I have experienced some issues with my right ear; a small amount of tinnitus - which is exactly how the breakdown of my left ear began.

"My thoughts on touring so intensively and consecutively have made me question whether my remaining hearing will be able to handle it."

The singer goes on to say in order to save her 'live' career, she has therefore decided to "completely avoid" lengthy back-to-back touring.

The dates will be rescheduled for 2022 but spread out in order to give her time to recover between gigs.

"I must put my hearing health first," she says, "as it could be the difference between being able to be a musician or not."

Many musicians and singers have suffered from hearing issues, including the likes of Will.i.am, Coldplay's Chris Martin, Neil Young, Ozzy Osbourne, Bono of U2, and Eric Clapton.