The opening of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil last week had us thinking back to the same event in South Africa in 2010, and more specifically to the sound of all those vuvuzela horns at the event. The vuvuzela was capable of creating a sound level higher than 125 decibels – louder than chain saw or ambulance siren. Just being in that environment exposed football fans to the risk of developing tinnitus or hearing loss which would stay with them long beyond the final whistle.
However, football fans are not the only ones at risk. Participating in or watching many live sports, from motor racing to shooting, can be an inherently noisy activity. While hearing damage is more common amongst those who have had prolonged exposure to noise above 85 decibels, even a single incident of exposure can trigger tinnitus.
The general rule is that if you are three feet from someone and you cannot hear what they are saying, you are at risk of hearing damage – so if you find yourself in that environment, try to move further away from the source of that sound, or take breaks in a quieter area every fifteen minutes or so.
If you are taking part in these sports, whether you’re on the track or in the stadium, The Tinnitus Clinic would recommend always wearing adequate ear protection that effectively seals the ear canal. Our team of expert audiologists can supply and fit sophisticated ear defence mechanisms, custom made to match the shape of your ears.
If you do experience ringing in your ears or muffled hearing after attending a loud sporting event, it may be only temporary and disappear after a couple of days. However, if it continues beyond this, you may wish to talk to your GP about the treatment options available to you or contact The Tinnitus Clinic to book an initial assessment.