THE WHO - TOWNSHEND DENIES CONCERTS RUINED HIS HEARING

LATEST: THE WHO guitarist PETE TOWNSHEND denies his band's ear-blasting rock concerts are to blame for his recent hearing loss, insisting powerful studio headphones are to blame.

The SUBSTITUTE hitmaker is frustrated by his increasing deafness, and is certain long stretches spent seeking musical perfection in the recording studio are responsible for his condition.

The 60-year-old says, "I wake up realising my own particular kind of damage was caused by using headphones in the recording studio, not playing live.

"Earphones do the most damage. This is a peculiar hazard of the recording studio. There are often accidental buzzes, shrieks and poor connections that cause temporary high-level sounds.

"One might have to work for several hours to perfect a studio performance. As the work progresses, the ears shut down and one needs a higher volume."