YEARS of screaming engines in Formula One pit lanes have turned veteran motor racing broadcaster Murray Walker deaf.
Murray, who became a legend for his classic commentary faux pas such as "Excuse me while I interrupt myself" and blindingly-obvious statements like "It's raining and the track is wet", says he does not mind wearing hearing aids.
Aged 84, with an OBE and living in Sandleheath near Fordingbridge, he says he thought he'd look a wimp wearing ear defenders, even though the noise level in the pit lanes often reached 120 decibels.
He was around high-revving engines in motor sport from the early 1950s up to his retirement in 2001, but in later life all that noise played havoc with his hearing.
Everyday things like socialising and talking on the telephone became difficult.
Now he wears two tiny but powerful hearing aids. He said: "I could hear but I just couldn't hear clearly and distinguish speech, particularly in group situations or in busy bars and restaurants.
"I got on but it wasn't easy. I found myself grinning aimlessly at people when they were talking to me because I couldn't hear what they were saying and I didn't like to keep saying pardon'.
"I don't mind wearing hearing aids. There does seem to be a bit of a stigma but people with hearing loss have absolutely nothing to be ashamed about in the same way that people who wear glasses or contact lenses don't."
Now he can hear, as well as see, Lewis Hamilton winning those Grands Prix.
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