DE-Vuvuzela noise can affect your hearing 01.07.2010
Noise generated by vuvuzelas during the world football championship
According to recent measurements by the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance (IFA), noise generated by vuvuzelas as frequently used at the moment related to the world football championship can affect the hearing.
Noise levels measured by IFA at a distance of half a meter were at levels up to 100 Dezibel (A). At a distance of 10 cm levels were even higher: 125 bis 130 Dezibel (A), close to aircraft noise.
The IFA experts concluded that the use of vuvuzelas could lead to permanent damage for hearing for amateurs and workers in sports areas, and other places were they are used. They also recommended the use of hearing protection, for example adequate and appropriate ear plugs, and for workers to keep a distance of five meters when not wearing hearing protection.
Read more on the IFA website (in German) and on the SHP website
Read EU-OSHA´s information on noise at work
