The sound of World Cup soccer this year is difficult to bear. Many watching the games in South Africa are worried about permanent damage to their hearing as reported in an article at the link below.
The din emitting from the tuneless plastic horns is louder than that from a drum or a chainsaw, according to the survey by hearing aid manufacturer Phonak.
It said tests had shown the sound emitted by a vuvuzela was the equivalent to 127 decibels. The sound from a drum was put at 122 decibels while the sound from a referee's whistle registered 121.8 decibels.
How distracting is it for the players on the field? Will the noise from thousands of tuneless plastic vuvuzela horns change the outcome of some of the matches?
The humble vuvuzela has become very controversial, with many fans and players wanting it banned. But many more say that this plastic stadium horn, or blowing horn, has come to symbolize football (soccer) in South Africa.
Fans in South Africa cannot imagine the game without the sound of the vuvuzelas and argue that the instrument adds to a unique African atmosphere. The vuvuzela is described as “the noise-making trumpet of South Africa football (soccer) fans.”
Spectators use it to encourage their teams, express their joy (or disappointment) or just to show their excitement.
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