Coronation Street veteran Bill Roache has spoken of how his hearing problems have had a big impact on his lifestyle.

The 78-year-old recently announced that he is partially deaf and requires special cues to prompt him during his soap scenes as Ken Barlow. He had his hearing damaged at the age of 21 when a bomb exploded at close range as he was training with the Army.

In an interview with the Daily Express, the star explained: "Looking back it has influenced my lifestyle because I've always avoided pubs and places where there's background noise. If I have a dinner party I tend to invite just two or three people so I can hear them properly.

"It's so hard to pick up conversation especially if someone is softly spoken. It gets very tiring trying to keep up and I sometimes find myself just nodding and grinning which can be very embarrassing if I've been asked a question. I'm sure people think I'm daft. I also struggle with high frequencies and song lyrics."

Roache recently started using digital hearing aids but does not wear them full time. He said: "They do make a big difference when I'm at social functions, giving me a lot more confidence. My children are always telling me to put the hearing aids in when they come to dinner."

Earlier this year, the actor agreed to front the 2010 Sound Barrier Star Awards, which reward the achievements of people who are hard of hearing.