No red card for horns despite impact on the ears
FIFA, the world governing body, refused to give the tuneless trumpets the red card, saying they are a potent symbol of the tournament in South Africa.
Its president, Sepp Blatter, said Africa was all about dance and music and moaning about the instrument bordered on discrimination.
The loud drone of the vuvuzela has sparked international debate, with broadcasters, including RTÉ, inundated with complaints.
RTÉ’s World Cup anchor, Bill O’Herlihy, held up his hands on the issue on Friday, saying there was little that could be done.
The broadcaster complained to FIFA yesterday about the noise from the vuvuzelas. The station has tried to reduce incoming sound levels in favour of their commentary teams but admitted it would only make a small difference.
Vuvuzelas are believed to be based on kudu horn instruments used in Africa to call villagers to meetings.
A leading audiologist has warned of a proliferation of vuvuzelas at events here following the World Cup.
Keith Ross, from Hidden Hearing, said the plastic trumpets can reach decibel levels of 127 decibels – the equivalent noise exposure to a jet plane taking off.
He said football fans attending the World Cup are in danger of having permanent hearing damage within jut 15 minutes of being exposed to the sound levels that the trumpets reach.
He advised fans to wear earplugs to protect their hearing or risk a permanent buzzing sound in their ears and irreversible hearing damage.
A study published in the South African Medical Journal in April found vuvuzelas exposed spectators to high-intensity sound, reaching a maximum peak of 144.2 decibels.
Eleven spectators were tested, four of whom blew the horn. All the study participants showed a significant decrease in hearing sensitivity, which precedes permanent damage.
Elena Torresani from the Hear the World Foundation, told RTÉ it did not want FIFA to ban trumpets but was anxious that fans took steps to protect their hearing.
Ms Torresani said the foundation was established by Phonak, a Swiss company specialising in high-tech hearing devices, to raise awareness about hearing and the social and emotional impact of hearing loss. “Swiss fans always play cowbells and the cowbell is only at 114 decibels.”
The foundation has listed the air-horn, popular with English fans, as the second most harmful to football fans after the vuvuzela.
The air-horn exposes ears to damage with levels of 123.6 decibels.
The drum, also played at football matches, reaches a level of 122 decibels.
Popular with supporters on the stands as well as being used on the pitch is the referees whistle, the fourth most harmful at 121.8 decibels.
But just as problematic, according to the foundation, can be two passionate singing supporters at 121.6 decibels!
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