Pete Tong Reflects on Ageing, Hearing Loss, and Lifelong Career in Dance Music

Pete Tong, the iconic DJ who helped bring dance music into the mainstream and remains a staple of Radio 1 at 65, discusses the challenges of ageing in a career defined by loud music and late nights. Diagnosed with hearing loss in his right ear around ten years ago, Tong has adapted by using earplugs while performing, balancing the experience of music with hearing protection. Although hearing aids are available, he uses them only in specific situations, such as crowded meetings. Tong is working with Boots Hearingcare to raise awareness about the importance of protecting hearing and addressing the stigma surrounding hearing aids, particularly in industries that prize youth. Reflecting on his early career, Tong recalls joining school bands, experimenting with turntables, and becoming part of London’s rave and Boy’s Own scene in the 1980s. Over decades, he signed influential artists like Run-DMC and New Order and witnessed dance music’s transition from underground raves to mainstream success. Despite exposure to a high-pressure environment, Tong avoided the excesses and burnout common among DJs, attributing this to both luck and caution. He remains passionate about discovering new music, balancing nostalgia with innovation, and adapting to changes in club culture, social media, and audience expectations. Tong continues to perform, produce, and tour, including his Ibiza Classics orchestral shows, encouraging older fans to maintain their connection to music responsibly and sustainably.