Sound of metal

Drummer Ruben, recovering from a drug addiction and half of the avant-garde band Blackgammon, tours the United States with his girlfriend and band member Lou. When his hearing seems to deteriorate he sees a specialist, who tells him most of his hearing is already gone - and it will only get worse. The cochlear implants that could help him are not covered by his insurance, so the only thing he can do to stop his hearing from deteriorating any further is stop performing. Not ready to give up his dream, Ruben obstinately keeps going. Eventually Lou leaves, and he finds himself in a rural shelter for deaf recovering from addiction.