Rob Swire loses hearing in left ear possibly due to e-cigarettes

There is, perhaps, no one in EDM with a better ear than Rob Swire. Knife Party’s sharply satirical and uncannily accurate “EDM Trend Machine” proved his ability to discern what sounds define the pulse of the industry and reproduce them perfectly.

Yesterday, he posted to Twitter to inform his fan base that he lost hearing in his left ear.

Sensory deprivation has plagued musicians throughout time, from Beethoven — the archetype of the deaf composer — to Zedd, who also lost hearing in his left ear last year. To view the glass as half-full, Swire’s loss of hearing is only an impediment — his musical acumen is still fully intact. Knife Party co-pilot Gareth McGrillen will undoubtedly have to pull a little extra weight during upcoming live sets, but a talent like Swire’s doesn’t die so easily. We wish Rob a speedy recovery, but are confident that there are more great things to come from him, no matter the outcome.

Update: Thankfully, Rob Swire’s hearing has returned, but not without a lasting message that he wanted to share with his fans. His hearing was temporarily affected because of e-cigarettes, according to his latest report. Apparently the propylene glycol used in the nicotine delivery system is toxic to the auditory nerve, something most vape users and e-cig smokers are not privy to.

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