Charity urges football fans to shun vuvuzelas

The loud drone of the vuvuzela was a controversial feature of the 2010 football Word Cup, but as the new season approaches a health charity has urged fans to avoid them for fear of causing permanent hearing damage.

Many teams have already banned vuvuzelas from their grounds, but the FA has said it has no plans to stop fans bringing them to the season-opening showcase Charity Shield game between Chelsea and Manchester United.

RNID, the charity working on hearing loss, is warning that repeated exposure to the South African horn could cause damage to fans' hearing.

"A vuvuzela just behind you will hit you with more than 125 decibels of sound – much louder than a road drill – which will really hurt your ears," said the charity's audiology specialist, Crystal Rolfe.

"We’re urging people buying a version of vuvuzelas to consider others and not use them in close proximity to people’s heads as they could cause temporary tinnitus – ringing, whistling, humming or buzzing in their head or ears – or permanent hearing damage. We think it’s safer if fans don’t bring a vuvuzela into grounds."

Many football teams such as Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have already decided to ban them, but premiership new boys Blackpool have embraced the vuvuzela's potential ability to inspire their players and fans.

But Ms Rolfe demands that teams take measures to protect their fans: "If Premiership and Football League clubs are considering allowing vuvuzelas then they need to ensure that free earplugs and hearing protection are available at matches to minimise the risks of temporary tinnitus or permanent hearing damage posed by over-exposure to vuvuzelas during the season."

More information

For information on earplugs and how to protect your hearing, visit www.dontlosethemusic.com

RNID is encouraging football fans to value their hearing and take the charity’s hearing check by visiting www.rnid.org.uk/check or calling 0844 800 3838.

This article was published on Thu 22 July 2010