Country music superstar Thomas Rhett is being candid about a health challenge many would never expect from a life-long musician: he’s experiencing partial hearing loss in one ear.
The 35-year-old revealed the news during an appearance on the “That Sounds Fun” podcast with host Annie F. Downs, where he shared that he’s “kind of going deaf in this ear a little bit” — and has even started using hearing aids to help manage it.
The revelation surprised fans and listeners alike, especially considering Rhett’s career revolves around music and sound.
But rather than downplaying the experience, he spoke about it with honesty and humor, offering insight into what it’s like for someone whose world is so deeply connected to audio.
Candid Confessions: What Rhett Said About His Hearing
Rhett didn’t shy away from describing how strange it felt to first try hearing aids.
He admitted that when he put them on, the amplification was almost overwhelming.
“Is this legit what you hear all day long?” he asked his wife, Lauren Akins, who joined him on the podcast.
Lauren playfully reminded him that this was her everyday reality, joking that the sound felt “so loud” and that she was essentially welcoming him to the chaos.
He also joked about toggling between settings on his phone — particularly noise-canceling functions — trying to find a comfortable level.
Rhett said that when he took the hearing aids out, the contrast was so striking it almost felt like normal again, which he described with disbelief and a touch of humor.
Despite the adjustment, Rhett’s openness about his hearing loss has drawn admiration from fans and fellow artists alike, who respect his transparency about a health issue that many people silently face every day.
Balancing Family Life and Music
Part of the conversation also touched on Rhett’s home life — where being able to hear clearly matters more than ever.
He and Akins are preparing to welcome their fifth child in March and already share four daughters: Willa Gray, Ada James, Lennon Love, and Lillie Carolina.
Rhett joked that the energy of their busy household — and the lack of a steady nanny or babysitter — might actually make improved hearing a real advantage.
At the same time, he admitted that sometimes the chaos makes him long for the road and performing, even quipping that he’d be willing to play anywhere, just to escape the buzz of family life for a bit.
The couple has also chosen not to find out the gender of their upcoming baby until birth, something Rhett admitted sounded terrifying but exciting — another surprise in a life already full of noise, love and laughter.
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