DJ Woody Cook warns about tinnitus at gigs

Woody Cook Image source, Press Association
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Woody Cook says he has had tinnitus "for as long as I can remember"

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DJ Woody Cook has warned about the dangers of getting tinnitus from attending gigs.

The son of presenter Zoe Ball and musician Fatboy Slim said he had a "hissing, buzzing sound that's always there for as long as I can remember".

Ahead of a performance outside the i360 in Brighton on Sunday morning he warned "we've all got ears for the rest of our lives and we don't want to do them in".

Cook advised people attending gigs to "wear protection" for their ears.

More than seven million adults in the UK are thought to have tinnitus, according to Tinnitus UK.

The DJ, speaking to BBC Radio Sussex about his own tinnitus, said: "I'm not sure what exactly caused it - perhaps being too close to speakers at gigs as a kid, or having music cranked up too high on my headphones."

He said: "This is about prevention.

"The old tests would have only told you if you need a hearing aid or not.

"New tests will tell you how extensive is the damage to your hearing and whether you should just look after it.

"Protect your ears. Hear forever and rave safe," the DJ said.

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