Vuvuzelas set to soundtrack tournament

Just before 3pm today, millions of televisions were switched on. Within minutes the complaints started as the noise of vuvuzela horns threatened to drown out the World Cup match commentary.
ITV quickly announced it was monitoring the background noise levels of the South Africa v Mexico match but said: "Reflecting the atmosphere of the match is an important part of the broadcaster's role. At this World Cup that includes the sound of the vuvuzela horns.

"We will continue to monitor the balance to ensure that there's the right amount of stadium and pitch atmosphere and commentary."

The BBC said it was also aware of potential problems of excessive noise from fans in South Africa using vuvuzela horns and trumpeting support for their countries. A corporation spokesman said: "We will be monitoring audience reaction."

There is no doubt that the soundtrack to this year's World Cup will be the vuvuzela. Weaving amid the traffic jams that spread throughout the city as fans made their way to Soccer City or various official and unofficial big screen viewing areas, enterprising street hawkers sold both vuvuzelas and ear plugs.

Discordant on their own, en masse they make a terrifying noise that is at once inspiring and intimidating. When not being blown at top volume, they are an arresting sight when waved in unison.

Fifa faced calls from some broadcasters, players and coaches to ban the horns after they came to the fore during last summer's Confederations Cup.

But president Sepp Blatter accused the vuvuzela's detractors of failing to understand African culture and insisted they would be a welcome addition to the atmosphere in World Cup stadiums.

However, Fifa has issued a list of rules, including a ban on their use during national anthems.

By night, Johannesburg has been vibrating to the sound of the metre-long plastic horn. Visiting fans have also taken to them, with Brazilian and Mexican crowds snapping them up in their national colours.

Many claims have been made for the legacy of this World Cup, but one unwelcome one could be permanent hearing damage. Academics from Pretoria and Florida universities found that sound levels peaked at 144.2 decibels, well above the level of 85 decibels at which workers require noise protection by law.

Meanwhile, South African radio stations have been relaying anecdotal evidence of a new injury: swollen lips due to excessive vuvuzela use.