Ayumi Hamasaki (also known Ayu) is a japanese singer, songwriter, model and actress called "Empress of J-Pop" because her music is very popular in Asia.
In a blog posted on your site Team Ayu, the singer revealed that she began to lose the ability to listen by the right ear, starting on the way to lose her hearing completely. "I was told after various hearing tests that my right ear (which has been working over time to compensate for the deafness of my left ear) is quickly weakening", she said.
In 2000, Hamasaki had a severe ear infection during a tour, she stayed a few day in the hospital but returned to the tour, ignoring medical recommendations completely (rest and reduce exposure to loud noises). From the on, Hamasaki began to lose his hearing of the left ea gradually and in 2008, doctors informed her the she had permanently lost hearing in her left ear.
Now, unfortunately, becoming completely deaf, Hamasaki has benn struggling to cope with how to move forward with her life after spending the majority of it as a pop superstar.
"I remember wondering how would I as a singer be able to cope with two useless ears. I was in the dark", she said.
Even now, she vows to continue performing: "The stage is where I belong. It's the only place I really, truly exist. I don't know anything eles".