Diego Benaglio

Photo © Nina Stiller

"Tinnitus is still an irreversible condition and its effects are underestimated. Unfortunately, tinnitus may worsen when you do physical exercises, such as sports, as the physical efforts may intensify the stress caused by tinnitus. As a professional football player I exercise every day. Therefore, I strongly support the German Tinnitus Foundation. Information, prevention and research can help us find the right therapy."

Diego Benaglio
Goalkeeper of the Swiss national team and VfL Wolfsburg
www.diego-benaglio.ch

Uwe Tellkamp

"Since summer 2006 I have been a tinnitus sufferer myself. For seven years an uninterrupted noise in my ears, on the left stronger than on the right. I call it the flutist in my ear, who squeaks into an overdriven microphone, and this without interruption. By day it is possible to suppress the noise, the daily business drowns it out. But in the evening and by night, when it gets quieter, it can become unbearable and I need to concentrate on something different in order not to notice it anymore. “Basically, there is nothing that can be done,” the ENT doctor said already at the first visit. So that at some stage something can be done against tinnitus, I find research into it so important. "

Uwe Tellkamp
Author and Doctor
www.suhrkamp.de/autoren/uwe_tellkamp

Andreas Ottensamer

Photo © Anatol Kotte / Mercury Classics / Deutsche Grammophon

"I consider tinnitus research important as it can help a lot of people to regain their quality of life or to continue practising their profession. For me, education about tinnitus and the protection of one’s hearing is important because this is a topic that must not be underestimated."

Andreas Ottensamer
Clarinettist
andreasottensamer.com

Arvo Pärt

Photo © Arvo Pärt Centre

"We seldom understand how sounds influence us because we don’t realize how much of the world we actually perceive through our audible senses.  And until there is a problem with our hearing, we rarely turn our attention to the sounds around us.  However, as the condition of Tinnitus gets more widespread attention, I am very excited to know that there is a concerted effort to eliminate and cure it.  With this in mind, I am wishing you great success in your future endeavors to eventually conquer this acute medical condition."

Arvo Pärt
Composer
arvopart.ee

Avi Avital

Photo © Guy Hecht

"As a musician I believe healthy hearing to be one of the most important elements of human health. And it is so delicate! Preserving and protecting it in today's environment requires great dedication and true commitment. This laudable mission Tinnitus-Foundation Charité has taken upon itself."

Avi Avital
Mandolin Player
www.aviavital.com

Prof. Christoph Huntgeburth

Photo © Tobias Schade

"I consider tinnitus research and information important as above all young and healthy people do not know and underestimate the dangers of hearing impairments and the tinnitus disease. In my opinion, education about this condition, especially in schools, ought to be intensified."

Christoph Huntgeburth
Solo Flautist and Professor
www.christoph-huntgeburth.de

Daniel Hope

Photo © Harald Hoffmann

"I believe that awareness of and education about Tinnitus is of vital importance. Every human being deserves the chance to hear, not only musicians! Please support the Foundation and their invaluable research, to ensure this becomes a reality."

Daniel Hope
Violinist
www.danielhope.com

David Canisius

Photo © Thorsten Klapsch

"All those who have not been afflicted by tinnitus can consider themselves lucky as you cannot imagine how horrendous this condition is.
I was afflicted myself, and the chances of healing were 50/50.
I am well again.
Cause and therapy are not clear yet, as far as I know. And: everybody can be hit by it.
That’s why I am a clear supporter of the German Tinnitus Foundation Charité and with all my heart I ask you to support them."

David Canisius
Solo Violinist and Music Director of the Capital Dance Orchestra
www.capital-dance.com/orchester

Die 12 Cellisten der Berliner Philharmoniker

The 12 Cellists – the renowned ensemble of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra – have lent their support to the foundation from the outset. In September 2011 they staged a benefit concert with three other ensembles from the famous orchestra. Cellist Martin Menking is a member of the Foundation Council: “Hearing is every musician's most important asset. Our whole life long we have to train it and take care of it, and that is probably why we, in particular, react so strongly to any sort of change or impairment. It is a matter of course for us to support the work of the German Tinnitus Foundation Charité.”

The 12 Cellists
www.die12cellisten.de

Dorothee Oberlinger

Photo © Johannes Ritter

"Luckily, I have not been affected myself but unfortunately, tinnitus is a great topic among musicians. That’s why I consider tinnitus research important. I would rather hear the sound of a flute than a ringing tone in my ears and decide for myself what I “have in my ears”."

Dorothee Oberlinger
Flautist
www.dorotheeoberlinger.de

Emmanuel Pahud

Photo © Sheila Rock

"I find educating about tinnitus and the protection of one’s hearing important as for a long time I myself had to live with how terrible it is not to hear the sounds corresponding to what you see… For us musicians it is particularly awful, but also for everyone else because you feel like you are getting crazy: tinnitus not only accompanies us and disturbs our social lives but – and this is even more intimate and a lot worse – also when we are by ourselves and would like to have some peace and quiet. Progress in tinnitus research can help a lot of us to get rid of it or at least learn to live with it better."

Emmanuel Pahud
Flautist
www.emmanuelpahud.net

Emerson String Quartet

Photo © Lisa Mazzucco

"We in the Emerson String Quartet feel that great art is an essential component of a full life. People perceive music, art, theater, dance, literature and film through their senses. It’s important to protect our vision and hearing so that we can continue to communicate with others, take care of ourselves and our loved ones, and sustain access to humanity’s greatest cultural treasures. As musicians, we believe deeply in the significance of the aesthetic message we carry to many parts of the globe, and we want future audiences to be able to process and understand the thoughts and feelings of those who have become our civilization’s guiding lights.

We understand that tinnitus is often the first sign of hearing loss. We urge those who experience this disturbing symptom to consult a hearing specialist in order to learn what might have caused the problem and what can be done to alleviate it. In an increasingly loud society, in which one’s inner sense of peace and equilibrium is often assaulted by relentless noise and electronic amplification, it is vital to protect the delicate mechanism through which we participate in the world of sound."

Emerson String Quartet
String quartet
www.emersonquartet.com

Frank Peter Zimmermann

Photo © Franz Hamm

"I find tinnitus research important because intact hearing is invaluable to both musicians and their audience."

Franz Hamm
Violinist
www.ks-gasteig.de

Georg Kallweit

Photo © Kristof Fischer

"For me, tinnitus research is important because the increased occurrence of the disease constitutes a considerable impediment of the quality of life and performance for more and more people. I consider informing about tinnitus and the protection of one’s hearing vital as very many people are unaware of the risks things like stress and noise can constitute as causes for tinnitus – this is particularly true of young people."

Georg Kallweit
Violinist
www.akamus.de

Harriet Krijgh

Photo © Marco Borggreve

"As a cellist I need healthy hearing that I can rely on in my daily professional life. Through it we all imbibe music into our souls. A hearing impairment would mean the end of my work as a musician. Unfortunately, millions of people are suffering from problems with tinnitus every day, which reduce their quality of life considerably. With the right research, prevention and education, which already begins with informing young people about the cautious treatment of their hearing, this common disease will be optimally treated in the future, and this is greatly important. Therefore, I very, very much like to support the German Tinnitus Foundation Charité, because together we are strongest!"

Harriet Krijgh
Cellist
www.harrietkrijgh.com

Johannes Moser

Photo © Uwe Arens

"I consider tinnitus research important because undisturbed silence is still the best music to my ears! Informing people about tinnitus and the protection of one’s hearing are important as too many people treat their hearing carelessly."

Johannes Moser
Cellist
www.johannes-moser.com

Joseph Moog

Photo © Paul Marc Mitchell

"In my opinion, information on the topic of tinnitus and tinnitus research are very important, as this phenomenon constitutes an irreversible problem, which can seriously reduce the quality of life.

In our time it is nearly impossible to escape the noise pollution in public areas and in our loud world silence has become a luxury many ears can no longer enjoy on a regular basis. Our senses in general have deteriorated since the era of industrialisation. For me as a musician, hearing protection is of particular concern – also because the stress that leads to and is one of the side-effects of tinnitus, can cause serious and only later developing illnesses. Besides, the ear is also the centre of our sense of balance, damages to which can have far-reaching and unexpected consequences.

Therefore, I consider the work of the German Tinnitus Foundation Charité a project extremely worthy of support, as it creates awareness in society for the phenomenon tinnitus and its consequences and thus makes a major contribution to health."

Joseph Moog
Pianist & composer
www.josephmoog.de

Julian Steckel

Photo © Giorgia Bertazzi

"I find informing people about tinnitus and the protection of one’s hearing important because for me as a musician my hearing is the most important sensory organ. My hearing allows me access to the world of music – without it, I would be cut off from this world."

Julian Steckel
Cellist
www.juliansteckel.com

Li Yundi

Photo © Li Yundi

From his earliest childhood, Chinese star pianist Li Yundi has relied on his excellent hearing. In his home country, tinnitus is also widespread. This is not the only reason for the musician, the youngest pianist ever to win the International Chopin Prize (October 2000), to support the German Tinnitus Foundation Charité. He declares it an honour to act as ambassador for the foundation. Li Yundi: “Music is international. As a musician, I warmly endorse the education and information campaign; in the future I want to devote myself much more to the works of Beethoven – this famous German composer, too, suffered from tinnitus.”

Li Yundi
Pianist
www.universal-music.de/yundi-li/home

Ludwig Güttler

Photo © Juliane Njankouo

"I consider tinnitus research important as it deals with an as yet incurable impairment of an important sense organ and its related problems.

I find informing people about tinnitus and the protection of one’s hearing important because we live in a world that is characterised by an ever increasing noise pollution and more and more, especially young people suffer for life from damages caused by too much acoustic strain, the extent of which they cannot gauge at their age."

Ludwig Güttler
Trumpeter & conducter
www.guettler.com

Tim Vogler

Photo © Ch. Kern

"I consider tinnitus research important because tinnitus is a very serious condition. I suffered from it myself for a week once. It was the high E, and for me as a musician it became impossible to play music normally as I heard all notes always in relation to this nerve-wrecking E. I believe there is a connection between psyche and tinnitus, and a connection between excessive noise exposure (loud music is one of them!!) and tinnitus. Hearing impairment and tinnitus are basically not curable as yet. Please continue researching!

For me, educating people about tinnitus and the protection of one’s hearing is important as it is only too easy to underestimate the sensitivity of our ears, especially for young people. I find it depressing how many people ruin their hearing nowadays, through consuming music brutally loud, be it live or through headphones."

Tim Vogler
Violinist & ensemble member of the Vogler-Quartet
www.vogler-quartett.de

Sandrine Piau

Photo © Sandrine Expilly

"As a musician, I’m particularly sensitive to the plight of Tinnitus sufferers. It is hard to imagine what life must be like plagued by constant, unwanted and tiring noise. The disease changes people’s lives permanently and its repercussions are often underestimated.

It leads to isolation and despair. Informing people about Tinnitus and teaching young people about ‘safe listening’ is a vital mission, especially today, when we increasingly listen to music through headphones without a thought to the stress we put our sensitive ears under."

Sandrine Piau
Opera & concert singer
imgartists.com

Vadim Repin

Photo © Leonid Lazarenko

"Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the head when no outside sound is present.   I am amazed to learn that one in five adults suffers from it, and I am glad that an organisation such as the Deutsche Tinnitus Stiftung is raising awareness of what must be a terrible burden.  I know many musicians endure tinnitus, I am concerned that young people increasingly risk the possibility of getting it as a result of overexposure to extreme sound volumes in discos and at pop concerts,  and I hope the international seminar in Berlin in May will perhaps bring solutions to a problem which affects millions of people around the globe."

Vadim Repin
Violinist
www.vadimrepin.com

Wilfried Brandstötter

Photo © Carsten Bunnemann

"Informing people about tinnitus and the protection of one’s hearing is important as damage to one’s hearing is often irreparable. I have used fitted ear protectors for years during rehearsals because I want to continue in my profession when I am old with pleasure and without any restrictions."

Wilfried Brandstötter
Musician & band member of Mnozil Brass
www.mnozilbrass.at

Xenia Löffler

Photo © Daniel Deuter

"I gladly and emphatically support the commitment of the German Tinnitus Foundation, as education and prevention regarding this topic are immensely important in order to protect particularly young people from the psychological strain caused by tinnitus. As a musician, I can’t begin to imagine living with a lessened joy of hearing or even losing it altogether. The work of the foundation, which makes an important contribution to us keeping our senses together, cannot be valued enough."

Xenia Löffler
Baroque oboist
www.akamus.de

Salut Salon

Photo © Wolfgang Michalowski

"We as musicians consider educating about tinnitus and hearing protection so important also because we think that music enriches our lives a lot. Every evening at our concerts we experience what music means not just to us but to our many listeners everywhere in the world – and what a great joy it is to share these moments undisturbed."

Salut Salon
Women's Quartett
www.salut-salon.com

Paul Seidel

Photo © Diana Kozachek

"Our hearing is more than just an organ. It connects us actively with the content, the thoughts and emotions of our environment, on a human as well as a musical level. A delicate system that enables us to act socially, communicate with one another, to feel and to understand one another. Healthy hearing is a guarantor of freedom and independence."

Paul SeidelDrummerwww.paulseidel.com

Birgit Muggenthaler

Photo © Martin Heining

"I find education about tinnitus and the protection of one’s hearing important as our hearing is simply one of the most important sensory organs. Especially young people often treat their bodily resources all too carelessly, without a thought about possible future consequences. Tinnitus often means a massive impairment of one’s hearing and thus of one’s ability to communicate. Moreover, it puts a strain on the whole nervous system, which more often than not has a negative influence on the overall quality of life. I think many people are not aware of the impact of this condition. Here, a lot needs to be done to raise awareness."

Birgit Muggenthaler
Singer & flutist of Sava
www.sava-music.de

Caramelo

Photo © Serverin Schweiger

"As a musician I am dependent on my ears and I find it super when people are devoted to protecting and educating about such a sensitive organ!"

Caramelo
Musician & band member of Raggabund
www.raggabund.de

CAYAO

Photo © Iskandar/ander/Jarkko

"For us as musicians our hearing is like a second instrument. But tinnitus and hearing impairments also affect people who have nothing to do with music professionally. One ought to treat one’s hearing wisely and carefully – what has been lost does not come back. The most important thing is education, particularly for young people, and here the German Tinnitus Foundation Charité plays an extremely important role."

CAYAO
www.facebook.com/cayaoband

Clemens Kahlcke

Photo © Tina Winkhaus

"I think that tinnitus research is important as I have the impression that even today we know too little about the causes and the treatment/therapy of this disease, which is quite common particularly in my professional environment. I consider information about tinnitus and the protection of one’s hearing essential because I as a DJ and music producer am extremely dependent on impeccably functioning technology. And my most important TOOL is my hearing."

Clemens Kahlcke'
DJ Clé, musician & band member of Märtini Brös
www.maertinibroes.de

Daniel Fishkin

Photo © Samuel Lang Budin

"I have tinnitus, and I compose music directly in response to my hearing damage.  Countless doctors have told me, "just get used to it", but anyone who suffers from tinnitus knows that habituation is settling at best, and at worst, utterly impossible.  In lieu of a medical cure, I have devoted my lifework to making a creative solution, with the hope that art can point in the direction for science to lead.  I support the German Tinnitus Foundation Charité with unbridled enthusiasm.  It is crucial that we create widespread awareness for this baffling condition.  We have no earlids, and the first step to reckoning with the ‘New Noise’ surrounding us is a critical re-evaluation of our sonic world and its customs."

Daniel Fishkin
Composer
dfiction.com

Dianne Reeves

Photo © Dianne Reeves

"As a vocalist, I depend on my ability to hear - and hear well. It's that simple. Hearing enriches both my life and my ability to make music. I have experienced hearing issues and I can profoundly appreciate how stressful and upsetting life must be for those plagued by the noise which often accompanies tinnitus.  I strongly support - and I am so grateful for the commitment of the German Tinnitus Foundation Charité and its mission."

Dianne Reeves
Jazz singer
diannereeves.com

Eric Johnson

Photo © Max Crace

"I think informing about tinnitus and the protection of one's hearing is important because we want to cherish and value our hearing. The affliction can happen overnight with no warning. One must pay attention to one's own intuition about what are unsafe volume levels. Research has proven that higher volume levels that we enjoy are less damaging than higher volume levels that irritate us. Those should be avoided at all costs and the pleasing sounds we should be mindful and careful of..
If you are around sound for your profession for many hours a day, make sure you have plenty of hours that you spend in quietness, thereby giving your ears a rest."

Eric Johnson
Rock guitarist and singer
www.ericjohnson.com

Frida Gold

Photo © Rankin

"We consider tinnitus research important as for us as musicians our hearing is simply the most important of the senses. We support educating people about tinnitus and the protection of one’s hearing because this precious good can easily be damaged irreparably."

Alina Süggeler
Singer of Frida Gold
www.fridagold.com

Johannes Strate

Photo © Felix Krüger

"I find educating people about tinnitus and hearing protection extremely important. We are living in a time when stress and noise are permanently on the increase. Especially in my industry there is hardly a distinction between professional and private life any more, and ever more people suffer from tinnitus. Many people do not give a damn/are absolutely careless about the constant noise around them and I meet more and more children who have never heard of hearing protection or noise-induced damage. That is exactly why education and prevention in this regard are very important and worthy of support."

Johannes Strate
Singer & frontman of Revolverhead
revolverheld.net

Kai Wingenfelder

Photo © Martin Huch

"We tend to worry very little about our hearing. Only when our ability to hear, which is considered to be a normal part of our lives, is lost do we wake up. I am a musician and without my ears I would be nothing.

Two years ago I got tinnitus, which will never completely go away, but thank God it does not hinder me professionally. Others were less lucky. Many of my colleagues share my fate.

With a little discipline and even more education we can help people, especially the young, avoid damage to their hearing in the first place. This is the cause the German Tinnitus Foundation has taken up and I am happy to support them in this."

Kai Wingenfelder
Musician, singer & songwriter
www.wingenfelderwingenfelder.de

Lisa Bassenge

Photo © Jürgen Schabes

"Don’t be a Tinnitussi – protect your ears!"

Lisa Bassenge
Singer
www.lisa-bassenge.de
www.micatone.de

Lou Bega

Photo © AME.Media

"I find informing people about tinnitus and the protection of one’s hearing important because hardly anyone knows how it lodges itself in your ear and how you can get rid of it again (unfortunately, I played host to it myself for a year)."

Lou Bega
Germn Latin-pop singer
www.lou-bega.com

Maria Antonia Schmidt

Photo © Tristan Vostry

"I consider informing people about tinnitus and the prevention of one’s hearing important as without hearing sound and world, life would lose so much of its quality and depth."

Marria Antonia Schmidt
Founder & singer of Chapeau Claque
www.chapeauclaque.net

Paul Frick

Photo © H. M. Sewcz

"For me, tinnitus research and information are important, firstly because we musicians are at a greater risk and want to use our ears a whole life long if possible. But as tinnitus has become more and more of a general “civilisation disease”, our society needs to do more to raise awareness and take preventive action."

Co-founder, pianist & percussionist of BrandtBrauerFrick 
www.brandtbrauerfrick.de

Sonia Brex

Foto © Dejan Patic

"I consider tinnitus research important because to me, silence is as important as music."

Sonia Brex
Italian musician
soniabrex.de

Stefano Bollani

Photo © Valentina Cenni

"Let' s help the German Tinnitus Foundation!! They' re working to free people from the tiranny of noise. Silence, please!"

Stefano Bollani
Italian jazz pianist
www.stefanobollani.com

Ralph Siegel

Photo © Ralph Siegel

"I find informing people about tinnitus and in particular the protection of one’s hearing extremely important, that’s why lawmakers ought to finally introduce a phon limitation on the unreasonable noise generation in public places, through motorbikes, lawnmowers, etc., and especially in bars and discotheques through hearing-damaging, overloud music – hearing is life and being deaf is life on the fringe."

Ralph Siegel
Musician
http://www.jupiter-records.de

Eddy Temple-Morris

Photo © Emma J at Woolhouse Studios

"In my role as Ambassador for the British Tinnitus association for several years now I've been working really hard to get awareness of Tinnitus up in musicians, DJs, even Doctors, but more importantly now, government.

One in ten people in the UK suffer from tinnitus yet the government give no support for research. This has to change. I'm currently working on releasing a double album called 'I Am the One In Ten', where every artist on the CD has Tinnitus, also everybody involved in the making and releasing the record, from the person who designed the cover, to the radio promotions person. Artists appearing on the album include Coldplay, Black Eyed Peas and DJ Fresh.

Awareness is key to getting government funding, and we all have to do everything we can to get through to the powers-that-be. I wish you all the best spreading the word in Germany."

Eddy Temple-Morris
British DJ, producer & TV presenter
www.eddytm.com

Marusha

Photo © Marusha

“I support the German Tinnitus Foundation Charité because any changes you want to make can be achieved only with education, progression, and intention. And because listening can be incredibly important.”

Marusha
DJane, producer and presenter
www.marusha.de

Parov Stelar

Photo © etage noir rec

"As a musician my ears are the most important sense for me. Hearing is everything. Of course I know how it feels to have a Tinnitus and that's why I think research and protection is very important cause this sound makes you go crazy. So please prevent young people and workaholics from this horrible sound. Let's hear good music!"

Parov Stelat
Austrian DJ and producer for Jazz, House, Electro and Breakbeat
www.parovstelar.com

Sven Väth

Photo © Florian Kresse/cocoon.net

“I support the German Tinnitus Foundation Charité because I have unfortunately suffered from tinnitus for a long time. So I know what it means to have 'peace and quiet.'

I now pay much greater attention to my hearing and my health than I did for many years. Because you can prevent tinnitus and you can also learn to live with it if you take care of your body and inform yourself in time.”

Sven Väth
DJ ans music producer
www.sven-vaeth.de