I developed tinnitus at 27. It was the direct result of years of loud music. I’d been performing in rock bands since I was 14. Back in the Internet dark ages of 2002, when everything ran on dial-up, finding useful information on tinnitus meant wading through complex medical journals. With my professional music career just beginning to develop, I very stupidly downplayed tinnitus and hearing protection, carrying on as if everything was fine. For years, this approach seemed to work—I recorded albums and performed shows that grew increasingly louder as my audience expanded.

Everything changed in 2016 when I experienced my first spike. This was a difficult time to say the least. I fell into a depression, worried my music career was finished and questioned how I'd ever cope. Desperate for advice, I searched online but found only a couple of musicians willing to openly discuss their tinnitus, deepening my sense of isolation. I eventually recovered from the spike, but tinnitus had become a significant presence in my life, forcing me to adapt my life around it.

2020 marked another turning point when I decided to share my tinnitus story in a video. The response was immediate—hundreds reached out seeking advice. That single video changed my life, leading me to write two books, develop this website, and accept invitations to numerous podcasts and YouTube interviews.

Over the past three years, I've had the privilege of co-leading a musicians' group at Tinnitus UK alongside legendary guitarist Tim Bricheno. More recently, I've joined Tinnitus Quest, a new global nonprofit dedicated to silencing tinnitus. My work there involves conversations with renowned musicians worldwide who share their tinnitus experiences and coping strategies, teaching me valuable new lessons along the way.

I feel deeply passionate about helping others because I truly understand the struggle—I've lived it.