IU Postpones Goyang Concert Over Ear Condition

Singer-actor IU (real name Lee Ji Eun, 33) announced that she is canceling her Goyang concert, originally scheduled for September, and delaying the release of her new album due to worsening symptoms of patulous eustachian tube syndrome.

On the 20th, IU shared on fan platform Berriz that “chronic patulous eustachian tube symptoms have been worsening.” She wrote, “I think I’ve pushed myself a little too hard over the past few years without thinking about my condition. Recently, the symptoms have continued around the clock for days at a time, and it keeps becoming difficult to find my footing while singing.”

She continued, “Experts have advised that it would be difficult for now to hold concerts that involve a large range of movement and heavy sweating.” “I feel so heavy-hearted and sorry that I won’t be able to keep my promise of a concert. I feel like I’ve ruined all of our second half of the year.”

Because of this, the release of her new album is also being pushed back. IU said, “Since the promotion for what will be my sixth full album was centered around performances and touring, it seems the album’s release will inevitably have to be delayed as well.” “I’ll do my best so the wait isn’t too long, and come back as soon as possible with a new album and performances. Please wait just a little longer.”

IU’s agency, EDAM Entertainment, also said the same day, “We and IU determined that her current ear condition makes it difficult to proceed with concerts.” “After careful discussion, prioritizing her health above all, we decided to adjust this year’s schedule.”

Patulous eustachian tube syndrome refers to a condition in which the eustachian tube, the passage located behind the eardrum, remains abnormally open.

The eustachian tube is normally closed but opens when swallowing or yawning to regulate pressure in the middle ear. However, when it stays open more than it should, it can cause autophony, where one’s own voice or breathing sounds unusually loud, along with a feeling of fullness in the ear.

Patients may feel as though they are underwater, with muffled hearing and a sensation similar to hearing loss. It is sometimes mistaken for conditions that cause actual hearing loss, such as sudden sensorineural hearing loss or Meniere’s disease.

One of the triggers for patulous eustachian tube syndrome is a loss of body fat from severe weight loss. Fatty and soft tissue around the eustachian tube normally helps keep the passage from opening too easily, and rapid weight loss can affect that tissue, contributing to the tube staying open.

A decline in overall physical condition and severe stress can also increase the likelihood of the condition occurring.

Comedian Kim Young Chul previously revealed that he lost weight rapidly after being treated for paralytic ileus last year, and was later diagnosed with patulous eustachian tube syndrome as well.

He described the symptom by saying his “ear rattles,” adding, “I asked if there was medicine for it, and I was told I just needed to gain the weight back. But it turned out to be harder to gain weight than I expected.”

Source: (A)