The rap star, real name Inga Marchand, isn't naming culprits but admits there were some high-profile pals who turned their backs on her when they learned of her disability.

She says, "When you go through a crisis, you really see who is there for you... A lot of people that I thought would be there through thick and thin have completely disappeared.

"Because I couldn't hear, I was no longer useful to them. I couldn't put a record out."

The Foxy insists the snubs have only made her stronger, and gave her the incentive to fight her hearing loss turmoil.

She explains, "I decided when they see me, I'm going to be the same Foxy, looking head to toe gorgeous.

"I'm trying to be normal, even though every night I would cry myself to sleep."

But celebrity pals, Naomi Campbell and rap mogul Jay-Z have stayed close - supermodel Campbell even insisted on flying to New York and helping Brown "fix this" after she learned of her friend's condition.

Brown recalls, "She did some research and found me a specialist."

Source: http://www.teenmusic.com/d.asp?r=109065