Tinnitus news
18/06/2010

Vuvuzelas damaging to hearing RNID warns

England football supporters have been warned that they could be at risk of suffering tinnitus due to the loud noise levels emitted by the vuvuzelas horns that have started to be sold in the UK.

The metre-long plastic horns, which have dominated the World Cup matches in South Africa, are expected to sell in their hundreds of thousands by the end of the four-week tournament.

Supermarket giant Sainsbury has already sold more than 15,000 of the £2 horns and is expecting to sell at least 60,000 more as it becomes the "must-have" accessory of the 2010 World Cup.

However, medical experts have warned that fans risk permanent hearing loss if they stand too close to one during matches.

The Royal National institute for Deaf People's (RNID) senior audiology specialist Angela King said, "Noise over 85 decibels can cause damage over time. Vuvuzelas produce levels with more than five times that damage potential."

The RNID is urging fans to wear ear plugs anywhere they may be exposed to vuvuzelas for prolonged periods to prevent the risk of tinnitus and permanent auditory damage.