Paul Simon of Simon & Garfunkel has opened up about his battle with hearing loss, which has left him struggling to hear his voice while performing.
Simon, 82, spoke about his health issue ahead of the release of a new MGM+ two-part docuseries called In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon which premieres on March 17.
The American musician spoke about his recent experiences on stage.
Watch the video above.
READ MORE: Meghan’s shock return after long absence
“That’s come back to enough of a degree that I’m comfortable singing and playing guitar and playing a few other instruments,” Simon told Stephen Colbert of his hearing loss during a panel this week, as reported by The Guardian.
“That’s good. I can hear my voice the way I want it in the context of the music.”
He explained if there was an instrument playing too loudly, then he struggles to hear himself singing.
READ MORE: Olivia Munn’s message after revealing cancer diagnosis
“If there’s a drum or an electric guitar, it’s too loud and I can’t hear my voice,” he said.
“But when I first lost the hearing, I couldn’t get – it threw me off. Everything was coming from this side. But you know what I’m talking [about].”
Simon first revealed his hearing issue during an interview with The Times in Mary 2023, explaining the loss was sudden and impacted his left year.
“Nobody has an explanation, so everything became more difficult,” he said.
“My reaction to that was frustration and annoyance; not quite anger yet, because I thought it would pass, it would repair itself.”
He said he is in a better place now as he adjusts to his new normal.
READ MORE: Tropical island giving away $1000 free food per visitor
“I play the guitar every day,” he told Colbert.
“It’s the instrument that allows me to express myself creatively. But it’s also where I go for solace. If I’m feeling … ‘whatever’. So it’s a very crucial thing to me,” the performer said.
“You know, something happens to you when you have some sort of disability that changes your awareness or changes how you interact with life.”
READ MORE: How to join the nine.com.au WhatsApp channel
Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel met at school in New York and formed a folk rock duo group.
They are considered to be one of the best-selling music acts of the 1960s and 1970s with several number one hits including The Sound of Silence, Mrs. Robinson and Bridge Over Troubled Water.
Simon & Garfunkel reportedly had a troubled relationship over artistic differences and split in 1970 before reuniting for select performances.
The pair continue to perform together to this day.
Simon released solo music following their initial split including the songs Graceland and I Only Have Eyes For You.