Vuvuzelas could cause hearing damage
An interesting article today on Sport24 about the effect that Vuvuzelas could have on your hearing over the 2010 World Cup (or any time for that matter).
Researchers have produced evidence, based on tests at a soccer match with blaring vuvuzelas, that the sound level inside a 2010 stadium could lead to permanent hearing damage. “The findings of this study demonstrate a real risk of noise-induced hearing loss,” they say in an article in the latest edition of the SA Medical Journal. The study was authored by Dr De Wet Swanepoel of the University of Pretoria’s department of communication pathology, and Dr James Hall of a sister department at the University of Florida.
They said they tested the hearing of 11 spectators before and after they attended a Premier Soccer League match at a FIFA-approved training stadium with 30 000 seats. During the match, ten of the 11 wore personal sound exposure meters fixed to their shoulders, and four of them blew vuvuzelas. The researchers said the average sound exposure experienced by the participants during the almost two hours they spent in the stadium was 100.5 decibels.
Get ready audiologists, you may need to extend your practice hours.
Read the full article here.
I have tickets for one of the group matched in Cape Town, and have prepared myself in advance for the auditory onslaught of the Vuvuzelas, knowing that the decibel level is potentially damaging to hearing. With already compromised hearing, I am anxious that no further damage is caused unnecessarily. Fortunately I recently had a pair of Noise-Ban hearing protection devices made, which reduces noise by 35dB. This should be OK to take the bark out of the Vuvuzelas!
Hi Tony,
Please so kind as to pass on this useful info to all our members some of whom like myself will also be attending. Where does one procure these Noise-Ban protection devuces and what kind of cost are we talking about.
Mant thanks
Fred B
Hi Fred & any others who would like to pursue the Noise-Ban
The supplier Noise-Ban provides a professional service in conjunction with one of our audiologists that involves two consultations, first making moulds of both ear canals and thereafter they purpose-make and supply the personalization noise attenuation earplugs. The fit must be exact for the devices to be properly effective. I have found mine particularly valuable at outdoor pop concerts, where the noise level is literally deafening and these devices enable one to still communicate and hear sounds as they merely reduce decibel levels. I also wear mine whenever I use a loud power tool such as a hammer drill.
Noise-Ban market their products to manufacturers where employees on the factory floor are often subjected to sustained high decibel levels.
Visit their website at http://www.hass.co.za/
The total cost is likely to be between R 1000 and R 2000.
Hi, I also have Noise-Bans, and they made a huge difference at the stadium yesterday at the Ghana vs Serbia match. You can still the racket, but it’s not painful. I paid R850 for mine, and they were worth every cent – they can last forever if you look after them. Considering foam plugs are single-use only, this is great. Foam plugs are also not as effective, I find. You can go to http://www.hass.co.za, but you can also go to http://www.earinstitute.co.za – all the Ear Institutes can also organise Noise-Bans for you – they take the mould and then send it to the lab in pretoria to get made.
Hi Cheryl,
Your news snippet was of great interest as I also attended the second game here in Cape Town. However, I decided to just ‘swith-off’ my H/A’s which help to save what little hearing I do have for periods when there are no vuvuzela’s blasting away. Nevertheless, thanks for showing interest in our Hear2day site, and informing us of the success you enjoyed using the Noise-Bans. Cheers Fred Benning Exco Hear2day
Hi Cheryl
I also had an opportunity to use my Noise-Bans on Monday when Portugal played North Korea at Greenpoint. Wonderfully effective, as they almost entirely eliminated the Vuvuzelas, and removed any concerns I had about being exposed to potentially damaging decibels. Actually, the journey to and from the stadium and especially the fanwalk was the most risky, as enthusiastic fans tend to blast on their horns at random and this can be inches away from your ears. However, what a blast, I enjoyed the vibe like everyone and would not change anything – all that is needed is self protection. I am however concerned that a lot of people have already caused themselves some lasting damage. My wife used the compressible “Vuvuzela” earplugs and she found these effective enough, but of course Noise-Bans are the best.