The Disturbing Incident That Caused Halle Berry's Hearing Loss

The following article contains descriptions of domestic violence.

Halle Berry's easily one of the most indomitable forces in Hollywood today. With 63 acting credits (and 1 directing credit) across a three-decade-long career, the Oscar and Emmy-winner has continuously surprised audiences with her perseverance and versatility. Even before she successfully parlayed her modeling career into acting, Berry was already a record-breaking beauty queen. As the first runner-up in the 1986 Miss USA pageant, per People, Berry also became the first Black woman to represent the US in that year's Miss World contest. And, would it surprise anyone to learn she was also editor of her high school newspaper and the prom queen? (Nope!)

Gracing the cover of AARP in January, Berry now seems to be reaching her peak form in recent years. In her directorial debut, "Bruised," Berry pulled double-duty by also starring in the 2021 Netflix film (which immediately hit No. 1 on the charts). Portraying a MMA fighter in "Bruised," Berry is doing more action roles, including 2019's "John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum," than ever at this stage of her career. Moreover, as if professional accomplishments and fitness weren't enough feathers in her cap, Berry has been in a happy and stable romance with musician Van Hunt since 2020. 

While many are aware of the happier aspects of Berry's life, they're likely more ignorant of its darkness, such as the fact that she is partially deaf. Here is the tragic story behind how Berry lost most of her hearing in one ear.

Halle Berry has had her share of unpleasant relationships, but only one left an indelible physical mark. In a 1996 People profile, Berry disclosed that, during the filming of 1991's "The Last Boy Scout," her then-boyfriend hit her hard enough to puncture her left eardrum. Ending up 80% deaf in that ear, Berry recounted how she fled the scene "so fast there were skid marks." (She only identified her ex as a major Hollywood player.) 

The "Monster's Ball" actor insisted, at the time, that she's never "before — or since" experienced this level of domestic violence. However, it opened her eyes to her choice of partners, whom she realized were reminiscent of her abusive father. At a 2011 fundraising speech, Berry described how her battered mother inadvertently passed on her low self-esteem within relationships, per Essence. "It was only when I was in an abusive relationship and blood squirted on the ceiling of my apartment and I lost 80[%] of my hearing in my ear that I realized, I have to break the cycle," Berry recalled.

Although she's safe and sound these days with boyfriend Van Hunt, Berry has admitted to still struggling with her past abuse, per HuffPost. "It seems like I've overcome it, but I really haven't," Berry said at a 2015 benefit for the Jenesse Center, a domestic violence prevention and intervention organization.

In addition to her hearing impairment, Halle Berry has lived with diabetes throughout most of her career. In 1989, she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes after a scary incident on the set of her first TV show, "Living Dolls." "I fell ill dramatically," Berry said, per the Daily Mail. Confused over her symptoms, Berry recalled feeling like, "I needed energy but I didn't even have a minute to pop out and get a chocolate bar." After seven days in a diabetic coma, she received her diagnosis.

There has been controversy historically, as per Healthline, over whether Berry has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Typically, per Diabetes UK, the key difference is that Type 1 is a genetic condition, but Type 2 develops over time. Either way, Berry's diabetes has caused her some pretty serious injuries on film sets, per a 2020 Variety profile. While filming 2019's "John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum," complications from diabetes led to Berry cracking three ribs. Initially thinking she had "early osteoporosis," Berry told Variety, "I couldn't understand why this was happening to me when I was really physically fit."

Ultimately, however, Berry has viewed her diabetes as a "gift," per the Daily Mail. "It gave me strength and toughness," she said, with her condition forcing her to "face reality, no matter how uncomfortable or painful it was." 

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.