Adele recently shared with her Las Vegas residency audience that she is recovering from a painful ear infection that left her with temporary hearing loss. During her performance at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on October 25, the 36-year-old singer opened up about the discomfort she’s been experiencing. She revealed that the ear infection was a result of a “rare water bacteria,” which has been difficult to treat. Adele explained that she had never experienced an ear infection before, calling it the most painful thing she’d ever endured—worse than childbirth.

She also shared the frustrating details of her treatment. Initially, Adele was prescribed the wrong antibiotics, which only exacerbated her condition. However, after receiving the correct medication, she started to feel relief. Despite the lingering symptoms, she made it clear that there was no way she would miss her show, demonstrating her commitment to her fans and the importance of her residency. She mentioned that, while her pain has subsided, she still experiences some residual effects of the infection.

Ear infections, although more common in children, can also affect adults. They often result in ear pain, fluid drainage, and temporary hearing loss, all of which Adele experienced. In most cases, hearing loss from an ear infection clears up once the infection is treated, though it can sometimes lead to permanent damage if the eardrum or other middle ear structures are harmed.

Adele’s Las Vegas residency, part of her Weekends with Adele series, had resumed in late October and is scheduled to continue through November 23. This follows a series of delays, including a vocal rest period earlier in the year. In February, she had to postpone the March tour dates after experiencing health issues that impacted her voice. She admitted that she hadn’t fully recovered before the shows resumed and was still unwell when the ear infection set in.

Looking ahead, Adele revealed that after her Las Vegas shows, she would be taking an extended break from performing. She expressed that after her remaining 10 shows in Las Vegas, she would step away from the stage for a long time, sharing an emotional farewell with her fans, promising to hold them in her heart until she returns.