Cody Johnson Gives Update Following Sudden Ear Surgery, Reveals If It Will Impact His Singing Voice

“I’m getting better. The eardrum itself has healed,” he shared during a recent interview. “My voice sounds better than ever since I haven’t been singing.”

Cody Johnson; Photo Courtesy of Erika Goldring/CMA

Cody Johnson shared an update with fans after suffering a burst eardrum that required immediate surgery. The 38-year-old country superstar also addressed whether the injury could lead to long-term hearing issues or affect his singing voice.

“Everything kind of sounds a little funny right now. It has pissed me off, for lack of a better way of saying it,” he told Taste of Country, later explaining the emotional toll the injury has taken on him. “I’ve been so irritated because I know I want to hear these things and I want to be better, but it’s taught me a lot of patience.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, a ruptured eardrum, also known as tympanic membrane perforation, is “a hole or tear in the thin tissue between the ear canal and the middle ear.” In most cases, it can heal within a few weeks. The Mayo Clinic also notes that a ruptured eardrum can cause temporary hearing loss.

Cody Johnson, Photo by Andrew Wendowski

Johnson shared a positive update during an interview while co-hosting Country Countdown USA. “I’m getting better. The eardrum itself has healed. I’ve been singing,” he said. When asked whether the injury could affect his singing voice long-term, Johnson reassured fans that “nothing will change.” In fact, he said he feels his “voice sounds better than ever.”

“Listen, nothing will change how I sing,” he said during an interview with Alecia Davis of ExtraTV at the 2025 CMA Awards. “I know a lot of artists that literally can’t hear out of one of their ears, and I never knew it. Music is one of those things you’re either born with or you’re not.” He later added, during a co-hosting gig on Country Countdown USA, “My voice sounds better than ever since I haven’t been singing.”

Johnson was forced to cancel all remaining 2025 tour dates after his eardrum burst while he was battling a severe upper respiratory and sinus infection, which required immediate surgery in October 2025. According to Johnson, the healing process for his surgery takes “many weeks,” making it impossible for him to sing. The injury prevented him from performing at the 2025 CMA Awards. However, he still attended the show, and took home his first-ever CMA Male Vocalist Of The Year trophy.

But he says his “goal is to come back in February” (per Country Countdown USA), and he certainly will, as he just announced a massive 2026 tour. The trek kicks off on February 6 and 7 with back-to-back shows at Legacy Arena at the BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama, and continues through July 2026, wrapping up with two shows at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

In addition to his own 2026 headlining dates, Cody Johnson will also perform at several festivals, including Stagecoach, RODEOHOUSTON, Cavendish Beach Music Festival, and more. He will also perform as direct support for “The King of Country Music,” George Strait, during a special show at Death Valley (Clemson Memorial Stadium) in South Carolina on May 2, 2026. Johnson is also set to make a special appearance during Alan Jackson’s final concert, Alan Jackson’s Last Call, taking place at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.

Cody Johnson, Photo by Andrew Wendowski

For more information on Cody Johnson’s upcoming tour dates, visit his official website.