Get Earplugs Here!
Get Earplugs Here!
Danny Jordaan has predicted that 2010 will be the noisiest World Cup ever and a lot of noise has certainly been made about the potentially damaging effect that vuvuzelas could have on spectators’ hearing at Soccer World Cup matches.
Newly-released research has shown that the noise emitted from a single vuvuzela is dangerously loud and that the combined effect of the thousands of vuvuzelas expected at the matches could pose a considerable risk for noise-induced hearing loss.
Uthango Social Investments identified a simple and logical solution by teaming up with a medical doctor in Cape Town, and advocating for Vuvuzela unPlugged earplugs as an enhancer of the soccer vibe while reducing the noise. Not only will these earplugs preserve the hearing of soccer fans, but also the spirit that the vuvuzela creates.
In recognising the need for fans to protect their hearing, local entrepreneur Neil van Schalkwyk of Masincedane Sport has been instrumental in obtaining accreditation for the sale of Uthango’s Vuvuzela unPlugged earplugs at 14 Park and Ride facilities around stadiums in Cape Town and Johannesburg at R25 per set. The earplugs are also on sale at www.webtickets.co.za and will continue as a social enterprise of Uthango after the World Cup.
Full story: Plug Your Ears
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Who will protect the animals and birds from the noise? Would it not just be easier to ban and destroy all current vuvuzelas? Is it not interesting that the earplugs are more expensive than the vuvuzelas? Hmmm, makes me wonder who's idea the vuvuzela actually was?
The vuvuzela was always a reality in South African soccer. At the moment, there is no alternative than to promote responsible use of it and ensure hearing protection as well as education on it being a health risk. We should have been worried about health risks associated with the vuvuzela's noise levels ages ago. This is an indictment against all of us - that it only becomes such topic of discussion now.
Until fans themselves understand the dangers, it is patronising to enforce a ban on something so deeply entrenched in the soccer culture of South Africa. Change need to happen from inside.
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