Durrell Babbs, better known by his stage name Tank, has remotely spoken about his loss of hearing.
The 45-year-old R&B singer-songwriter revealed that he has gone completely deaf in his right ear and is about to lose hearing in the left ear. He also revealed that he has been diagnosed with severe vertigo.
On Wednesday, Tank posted a video on Instagram, stating, “I’m going through something right now and I want to use my situation to encourage your situation. I’m going completely deaf in my right ear and I’m kind of losing sound in my left [ear].”
“I’m dizzy, can’t walk a straight line,” he added. “All of this out of nowhere. Don’t know how or why. I’m seeing a doctor, got MRIs going on and medication… all of that.”
The “Maybe I Deserve” singer is staying positive and ready to keep fighting. He also urged fans to be brave when it comes to fighting their own battles.
Tank said in the video, “But, it still hasn’t given me a reason to give up. It still hasn’t given me a reason to stop feeling like I can do and be everything that I’ve set out to be. The goals are still the same – to be great, to be the greatest. And I want to say that to you too.”
“No matter what you’re going through, no matter where you find yourself,” he continued. “Whether your body is failing you, whether your mind is failing you, whether your spirit is failing you – keep going, keep pushing.”
Tank went on to promise his fans that he would remain open and share his health updates with them.
He ended the video by saying, “Let’s keep fighting.”
Tank’s wife Zena Foster commented on the video, writing, “I love you babe and don’t worry I can talk louder.”
The next day, Tank shared another news, explaining that his doctors said he has a “very severe case of vertigo with little additives here and there” in his right ear, but no brain-related issues. In addition to that, the singer shared that he has a deviated septum.
“I tested lower today in terms of the things I could hear in this ear, so hopefully that starts to turn around quickly, and I can get back out there and do what I do,” Tank said.
“Say it now, don’t wait until I’m deaf or in a wheelchair cause I can’t walk in a straight line,” he continued. “I want to be able to celebrate and dance, right now! We have to do more in appreciating us in the moment.”
The “When We” singer added, “We gotta stay on top of each other, man. Make that phone call, make that extra effort to let your brother or sister know they are appreciated. Let them hear that, let them feel that, while they can appreciate it in this life.” The story was published on PEOPLE.
