BTS' V opens up about noise-induced hearing loss
by Halimat Olunlade, Social Media Manager
Photo Credit: Nicole Vasquez/MLB Photos via Getty Images
Hearing health has taken center stage this week. During a recent livestream, K-pop singer V shared a candid update about his hearing loss. The 30-year-old member of global sensation BTS attributes the loss to his two years of mandatory military service, which he completed in June 2025. V's disclosure may surprise some fans, but it's unsurprising to anyone familiar with the environments that musicians and service members navigate daily. For musicians and military service members alike, dangerous noise exposure is part of the job. Concert venues and military operations regularly exceed safe noise limits, and V's experience is far from unique. High-energy musical performances can exceed 100 decibels without hearing protection and at these levels, even brief exposure can cause permanent, irreversible hearing damage.
K-pop concerts present a particularly intense acoustic environment. Fans are encouraged to chant and sing along with performances, which amplifies overall noise levels beyond what the stage production alone creates. Combined with venue acoustics and sound systems, the cumulative effect is amplified noise that puts performers and fans at significant risk of noise-induced hearing loss. Having had the joy of seeing the boy band at Gillette Stadium a few weeks ago, I can concur. There were many moments throughout the set when I felt the need to cover my ears, even with hearing protection. Without my earplugs, I’d likely have been left with a ringing in my ears, as K-pop fans have lamented in the past.
It’s important to note that this hearing loss is not normal, but induced by exposure to noise at high levels. And while V’s music and military career have exposed him to more noise overall, the effects being seen at this stage of his life are concerning. Quiet Coalition’s Daniel Fink coined the term “oto-aging” to describe this phenomenon. Hearing loss at age 30 is a reminder that it isn't just an elderly thing, but a public health issue affecting young, otherwise healthy individuals across all communities. V joins a growing list of artists and public figures speaking openly about hearing health. Olivia Rodrigo and Huey Lewis have recently shared similar struggles, signaling a cultural shift toward acknowledging what the music and entertainment industries have long downplayed. Their willingness to speak candidly reflects a broader awareness that hearing protection and noise reduction are central to long-term health and quality of life.
