William Shatner is boldly speaking out about a health challenge thatâs followed him for decadesâand heâs hoping his story will help millions who suffer in silence. The Star Trek icon, now 94, has opened up about living with tinnitus, a chronic condition that causes constant ringing or buzzing in the ears.
In a recent video for the nonprofit Tinnitus Quest, Shatner candidly shared how he first developed the conditionâand why heâs lending his voice to help raise funds for research to find better treatments.
âMy own journey with tinnitus started when I was filming a Star Trek episode called âArena,â and I was too close to the special effects explosion. The result was that I was left with permanent tinnitus,â he revealed.
Tinnitus is far more common than many people realize. According to the American Tinnitus Association, nearly 50 million American adults experience some form of it.
For many, the condition is temporary, but Shatner is one of the estimated 1% to 2% of people who live with the chronic and often debilitating version. âOver the years, Iâve had many ups and downs with my tinnitus, and I know from firsthand experience just how difficult it can get,â the Boston Legal star admitted.
For those unfamiliar, tinnitus is described as hearing sounds such as ringing, buzzing, or whooshing that others canât hear. These phantom noises can interfere with daily life, making it hard to focus, sleep, or simply enjoy quiet moments. Shatner, who was officially diagnosed in the 1990s, says the condition has followed him through the highs and lows of his storied career.
In his recent video, Shatner emphasized the urgent need for funding and research to help the millions affected.
âThere are no effective treatments for the chronic, debilitating form of tinnitus,â he said, adding, âThe more money we can raise for Tinnitus Quest, the quicker we can find a solution to help the millions of people suffering.â He encouraged fans to learn more about the nonprofitâs mission and consider donating.
This isnât the first time the beloved actor has been open about his health journey. In a 2023 interview with E! News, Shatner vividly described the moment he realized he had tinnitus.
âI was on the beach and itâs a vivid momentâyou know how the waves go out, the wave comes in [roars] and then it goes âssssâ [as it] goes out. All of a sudden, I kept hearing a âssssâ even though there was another wave coming. And thatâs how I discovered [I had tinnitus],â he recalled.
Shatner admitted that over time heâs learned to live with the constant noise. âYour brain starts to assimilate the sound, like it would if you were living beside an airport,â he explained. But even after all these years, the ringing can still catch him off guard. âSometimes itâs really bad, but I know itâs not going to kill me,â he said.
Through his advocacy, Shatner hopes to remind others dealing with tinnitus that theyâre not alone. His message is clear: more awareness and funding are needed to bring relief to millions worldwide. âThank you so much for watching, and I hope you will consider donating to Tinnitus Quest,â he concluded.
As Shatner proves, raising awarenessâand refusing to suffer in silenceâis the first step toward a future with hope for a cure.
