A Suffolk metal star is backing a campaign to raise awareness of a hearing condition affecting approximately seven million people in the UK.

Cradle of Filth frontman Dani Filth has suffered from tinnitus for the past five years as a result of being on tour.

The 37-year-old – who was controversially elected Suffolk’s gratest icon this month – is lending his high profile to The Hearing Care Centre in Ipswich for Tinnitus Awareness Week from February 4 to 11.

As an ambassador for the issue, he has advocated the benefits of wearing ear protection when around loud music for long periods of time.

Having been fitted with ear moulds which filter out unwanted sounds but still allow him to hear his band’s music, Filth said he would recommend them to all other musicians.

“When I first started performing, even at band rehearsals, it was never really part of the band agenda to wear ear protection,” he said. “We’d use ordinary bathroom tissues to plug our ears and think that was good enough.”

He added: “Wearing ear protection has been a godsend.”

Filth is currently touring Canada and America with his band and urged aspiring musicians to think about safeguarding their hearing from the beginning of their career.

“Precautions have to be taken to protect the longevity of your hearing,” he said.

As part of Tinnitus Awareness Week, the Hearing Care Centre will be hosting an exhibition in Ipswich on February 8.

Counsellors from the specialist hearing clinic will be at Tower Ramparts shopping centre from 10am until 3pm to give advice and support.

For more information call The Hearing Care Centre on 01473 230330 or visit www.hearingcarecentre.co.uk.