tech
March 2, 2026
'People think you’re old if you need a hearing aid': Pete Tong on ageing, all-nighters and hearing loss
He helped bring dance music to the mainstream, was a staple of the 90s Ibiza scene and at 65 still DJs on Radio 1. But all those hours in the club have come at a cost. Here, he talks survival, selling out and why he’s secretly quite shy
TL;DR
- Pete Tong, 65, continues to DJ on BBC Radio 1 and is having a busy year with gigs.
- He is now raising awareness about hearing loss, an occupational hazard for DJs, which he himself experiences.
- Tong was diagnosed with hearing loss in his right ear about 10 years ago and uses earplugs to protect his hearing.
- He aims to tackle the stigma surrounding hearing aids, especially in an industry that values youth.
- Tong believes that audiological tests should be as routine as visiting an optician for ravers.
- He discusses the evolution of the music business, clubbing, and the impact of technology like smartphones.
- Tong's focus remains on discovering and playing new music, though he also finds a unique way to engage with nostalgia through his Ibiza Classics orchestral performances.
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