Japan`s pop princess `Ayu` goes half deaf: blog

Hamasaki, better known as "Ayu" with a large fanbase in Asia, is believed to be suffering tinnitus, which involves a ringing in the ear that can be caused by constant exposure to sound.
Tinnitus is the same condition that afflicted Ludwig van Beethoven, the famously deaf German composer.
"Nevertheless, I would like to continue as a singer. That's why I would like to continue singing until I reach the limit with my remaining right ear," she said on the members-only fansite, as quoted by AFP from Japanese media.
"I won't stop. I won't make excuses. As a professional, I would like to deliver the best performance for everyone," she wrote over the weekend.
Her agency declined comment on her hearing, other than to say that she would go ahead with her second tour of Asia starting in April.
"She will continue her activity as scheduled," said a spokesman for the agency, Avex.