Eric Clapton says he’s going deaf

Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton (Image credit: Getty)

Eric Clapton has revealed he’s going deaf.

He reported in 2016 that he’d been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy – a condition that can result in muscle weakness, numbness and tingling in the feet or hands and loss of balance and co-ordination.

And in a new interview with BBC Radio 2’s Steve Wright In The Afternoon show, where he was discussing the new documentary Eric Clapton: Life In 12 Bars, Slowhand says: “The only thing I’m concerned with now is being in my 70s and being able to be proficient.

“I mean, I’m going deaf, I’ve got tinnitus, my hands just about work. I’m hoping that people will come along and see me just because, or maybe more than because, I’m a curiosity.

“I know that is part of it, because it’s amazing to myself that I’m still here.”

Clapton admits that he found watching parts of the new documentary difficult as “it goes on so long about the difficult part of my life.”

He adds: “I think it’s important for people to see that it’s a happy ending. It’s like a redemption concept. If you’re going to go and see it, be prepared for a heavy ride.”

Clapton is one of this year’s headliners at British Summer Time at London’s Hyde Park.

He’ll take to the stage on July 8, where he’ll be joined by special guests Santana, Steve Winwood and Gary Clarke Jr.

Eric Clapton: Life In 12 Bars is in cinemas now. Watch a trailer below.

Eric Clapton living in pain for the last year

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent more than 30 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, scouts out the best deals for music fans and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and has previous written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.