Lead singer Will.i.am from the American band Black Eyed Peas has ringing in his ears.

The 35-year-old Black Eyed Peas star says that the loud music which caused the condition is now the only thing that makes it bearable. The condition has left him with no other option but to make music because he can only ignore the irritating sound when he is surrounded by noise.

Will.i.am – who was born William Adams - says: "I don't know what silence sounds like any more. Music is the only thing which eases my pain.

"I can't be still. Work calms me down. I can't be quiet as that's when I notice the ringing in my ears. There's always a beep there every day, all day. Like now. I don't know exactly how long I've had this but it's gradually got worse."

Focus on tinnitus 

In a statement, David Stockdale, CEO of the British Tinnitus Association says: "The recent revelation that Will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas experiences tinnitus highlights a hugely important issue - that tinnitus is prolific among musicians and that not enough is being done to prevent tinnitus and permanent hearing damage among the music community as well as the wider public.”

Sources: www.thesun.co.uk and www.webmd.com