8:08am UK, Tuesday December 10, 2002

Rock legend Pete Townshend is almost deaf and suffers "unbearable" pains in his ear after playing his guitar during shows.

The star has spent nearly 40 years subjecting his ears to his own crashing guitar riffs with the band The Who.

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The Sun newspaper reported Townshend said his hearing got worse after the band's recent US tour.

"The recent return to touring and to me playing electric guitar - albeit more quietly than in the 1970s - led to further deterioration of my hearing," the 57-year-old said.

'Unbearable'

"My right ear, which encounters my own edgy guitar and the machinegun strokes of the drums, has suffered badly. I've no idea what I can do about this.

"I am unable to perform with in-ear monitors. In fact, they increase the often unbearable tinnitus I suffer after shows."

Renowned

Tinnitus is a condition which leaves sufferers with a continual ringing noise in their ears.

Townshend was a key member of The Who during their heydey in the 1960s and 1970s when he was renowned for smashing his guitars during live stage performances.