There is something profoundly tragic about someone who has dedicated his entire life to making the world better through his music losing his hearing. But, this is exactly what is happening in the case of Eric Clapton.

The influential guitarist recently commented to the BBC2 that “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.”

Tinnitus is a medical condition that results in a “ringing in the ears.” According to WebMD, “Tinnitus is very common, affecting an estimated 50 million adults in the U.S. For most people, the condition is merely an annoyance. In severe cases, however, tinnitus can cause people to have difficulty concentrating and sleeping.”

The Guitar Legend Isn’t Letting Hearing Loss Stop Him

Like so many people our age who are struggling with age-related medical conditions, Clapton must now decide how he will move forward with his life.

So far, Clapton is making it clear that he intends to push forward and continue to do what he loves – entertain audiences and create beautiful music.

Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars Coming to SHOWTIME

In addition to continuing to play live, Clapton has been supporting a new documentary based on his life, called “Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars.”

Referring to the deeply personal nature of the documentary, Clapton warned fans to be prepared for some emotional ups and downs.

As he said to BBC2, “If you’re going to go ahead and see it, be prepared for a heavy ride.”

Here is a trailer of the documentary. Personally, it looks like a fascinating looking into the life of one of the most influential guitarists of all time.

The documentary will appear on SHOWTIME, on February 10th at 8pm ET/PT. Unfortunately, I am unable to get SHOWTIME where I live, but, I hope that you will have a chance to tune in. If you do, please let us know what you think in the comments.

Are you an Eric Clapton fan? Have you ever seen him perform live? Do you have a favorite song? Do you plan on watching the documentary, Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars? Let’s have a chat!

Photo by Danny Clinch