The lead singer of Coldplay, Chris Martin, has suffered from tinnitus for the last ten years. He wishes he had taken better care of his hearing when he was younger, he says.

Twelve years ago, Coldplay broke onto the world music scene. Since then, the group has performed in front of millions of screaming fans. But even at the beginning of his career, something was wrong in Chris Martin’s ears.  He blames his exposure to loud music as a teenager as the root of the problem.

"Looking after your ears is unfortunately not something you think about until there is a problem,” says Chris Martin. “I wish I’d thought about it earlier.”

Music career in danger

When the Coldplay star first consulted a doctor, it was due to splitting headaches and an irritating ringing in his ears. Chris Martin was then diagnosed with tinnitus.

The message was clear. If he did not begin to take better care of his hearing, he would have to end his career in music. In the end, his condition might even lead to permanent deafness.

Since then Chris Martin has protected his ears whenever he was on stage or going to concerts himself.

"Now the band always uses moulded filter ear plugs, or inner ear monitors, at live concerts. Since I’ve started protecting my ears it hasn’t got any worse — touch wood,” says Chris Martin.

Wants to help others

To help raise awareness of tinnitus and hearing loss, Chris Martin has formed a partnership with the British organisation for the hard of hearing, Action on Hearing Loss. Along with other musicians, the lead singer in Coldplay takes part in The Loud Music Campaign.

The target group for the campaign is music lovers like Chris Martin himself. He and the British rapper Plan B will talk about their experiences and urge young people to protect their hearing.

"If you’re listening to loud music or performing live, then always protect your ears. You’re not Superman,” says Plan B.

With him and Action on Hearing Loss, Chris Martin wants to send out the message: “Wear earplugs!”

Used by permission of www.hear-it.org
Original article: http://www.hear-it.org/Coldplay-star-Chris-Martin-suffers-from-tinnitus