94-Year-Old Hollywood Legend Opens up About Years-Long Health Struggles

Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.Generate Key Takeaways

William Shatner is sharing a serious update about his health, and he believes many fans will relate to his condition.

The Star Trek legend partnered up with Tinnitus Quest, a nonprofit organization creating awareness around the chronic medical condition that causes a constant ringing in the ears. The Mayo Clinic reveals that it "is especially common in older adults" and can be "caused by an underlying condition, such as age-related hearing loss, an ear injury, or a problem with the circulatory system."

The 94-year-old actor shared that he's battled the ear issue after a special effects explosion on the set of the sci-fi show while filming the "Arena" episode in 1966.

AdvertisementAdvertisement#«Rkekkr8lb2m7nfblbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R14ekkr8lb2m7nfblbH1» iframe

"Over the years, I've had many ups and downs with my tinnitus," Shatner said in the clip "I know from firsthand experience just how difficult it can get. I've also observed how tinnitus has affected friends and colleagues.

William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk and Sally Kellerman as Dr. Elizabeth Dehner in the STAR TREK episode, "Where No Man Has Gone Before." Season 1, Episode 3. Original air date, September 22, 1966.

CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images

He added, "It's a diverse condition that comes in different degrees of severity. About 1–2% of the population suffers from a chronic, debilitating form of tinnitus. There are no effective treatments—and that's why we need more research."

Shatner is hoping that his involvement with Tinnitus Quest will advance the organization's "simple and bold goal of silencing tinnitus once and for all by funding innovative research."

He continued, "It's run by tinnitus patients together with some of the top researchers in the field. The more money we can raise for Tinnitus Quest, the quicker we can find a solution to help the millions of people suffering."

AdvertisementAdvertisement#«Rrekkr8lb2m7nfblbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R1bekkr8lb2m7nfblbH1» iframe

One of Tinnitus Quest's volunteers wrote a lengthy behind-the-scenes look at filming the spot with Shatner and he was inspired by the quick 30-minute shoot with the TV icon. He and Shatner both agreed that it was time to find a resolution to the health problem.

He wrote on the organization's website, “We believe that by fueling innovative research we can actually silence tinnitus, and I say that because we are at a time where innovations in neuroscience research, global tinnitus awareness, and researchers young and old are investing in finding a solution.”

Related: 'Euphoria' Star Addresses Their ALS Diagnosis for the First Time

94-Year-Old Hollywood Legend Opens up About Years-Long Health Struggles first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 28, 2025