There is no question that the Vuvuzela should be banned in all sporting events because it is a hearing hazard due to its decibel level and for possibly spreading colds and flu viruses on a greater scale than coughing or shouting.  Besides that, it is annoying to anyone that enjoys the game -  whatever it may be.

Last night I watched the Tampa Bay Rays play the Miami Marlins at Miami (Rays won 9-8, despite the noise) and for the first time I heard this annoying, disturbing and persistent sound of these plastic horns in the background of a baseball game; it was offensive and consistent as the 7-year Cicada, but more dangerous if you were at the ballpark.

I would not attend any sporting event where these obtrusive, sickening sounding plastic tubes were allowed.

They are as dangerous and as offensive as fans smoking.

It is often used in football matches (soccer) in South Africa, as we have seen in the current World Cup matches.

The Vuvuzela, a disturbing instrument, that you wouldn’t go to a concert to hear, known as the corneta, in Brazil and other Latin American countries where it is also used.

Aside from being annoying, the sound level of the Vuvuzela has been measured at 127 decibels with dangerously high sound pressure levels for unprotected ears.

According to Hear The World Foundation extended exposure to the Vuvuzela can lead to permanent hearing loss.

They say a new model with a modified mouthpiece reduces the volume by 20 decibels; however, when you multiple this by thousands of horn blowers, I don’t know what this accomplishes.

These horns became popular as early as 1978 in Argentina during the FIFA World Cup.  Since then they have been adopted by soccer supporters.

However, last night they unfortunately migrated to Miami and baseball.

The so called ‘instruments’ have been used for interrogation of enemy combatants as well as with terrorists.

Vuvuzela’s should be banned from all sporting events, unless sponsors want to run the risk of empty seats.