A good workout in the gym is important for many reasons including you weight, muscle tone and lung and heart health but for those who listen to their mp3 player whilst working out they may be doing more harm than good.

A new investigation carried out involving subjects listening to the same music in three different places has had interesting results. The subjects were each placed in a quiet environment whilst resting, a noisy environment whilst resting and exercising on an exercise bike.

It is a proven fact that people are generally listening to their mp3 players at safe levels when the environment they are sitting in is quiet. When the background noise goes up it seems the volume level on the mp3 player is also turned up.

The new study highlighted the fact that people purposely increased the volume on their mp3 players when they entered an environment where the background noise levels were high. Working out in a gym was one place where people were frequently shown to be turning up the volume.

When you are working out in the gym there are many different sources of noise being omitted around you. Televisions, radios, the noise from equipment and general chatter all increase the background noise levels. Heavy breathing whilst working out also adds to the volume. Some of the participants also freely admitted that they increase the volume in order to pump themselves up at the start of a workout.

It is proven that people listening to music in a quiet environment choose to listen at a lower level as there are no other competing sounds surrounding them.

Some previous studied agree that the louder the noise in the background the higher people adjust the mp3 volume level to. Researchers discovered that whilst working out people turned the volume up to 75% of the capacity which leaves them at high risk of hearing damage.

Investing in a set of headphones that block out all background noise is a good way to ensure that you won’t be tempted to turn up the volume.

Deafness claims can be pursued via a qualified solicitor. Tinnitus Claims are also often pursued by people suffering from work place hearing damage.

The Vuvuzela is now a key symbol in the history of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The sound of the vuvuzela instrument was the topic of much discussion throughout and after the end of the World Cup. Although many people considered it to be seemingly harmless the vuvuzela does pose health risks. It generates an extremely loud monotone sound when played, one which has been an irritation for many football fans worldwide since the World Cup began.

The noise resulting from the Vuvuzela has been proven to cause hearing loss when the exposure levels are high such as during a packed football stadium of fellow fans all blowing on them. The noise alone was considered beyond irritating by many.

Charity Deafness Research UK have now discussed the Vuvuzela stating that; ‘The competition could also score an own goal – with football fans risking permanent noise induced hearing loss, from the constant use of Vuvuzela horns.”

Lots of South African football fans regularly use Vuvuzelas and are therefore used to the sound produced, the same cannot be said for the thousands of international supporters watching the world cup. Although many called for a ban on the Vuvuzela it was overturned as the instrument was said to be an important part of the African culture.

The deafening pitch created by the Vuvuzela can eventually lead to serious health problems relating to the ears which confirm the fears the fans present at the world cup had. Deafness Campaigners are now looking to prevent them from being used in future football and sporting events.

There is already many different risks to people in the UK regarding noise induced hearing loss, adding to it with the use of Vuvuzelas is not something health campaigners will be happy to let happen. Work place noise induced hearing loss is a common problem here in the UK, having the Vuvuzela present in leisure time could see many people suffering.

If working in a noisy environment has affected your hearing, then you may have a case for a noise induced hearing loss. Visit the What’s My Deafness Claim Worth site to learn more about how to begin anindustrial deafness claim.

The HSE have announced a brand new initiative aimed at encouraging manufacturers to make quieter machinery and businesses to use the quieter machinery. They have done this in a bid to try to reduce the amount of noise related health problems created in the workplace.

It has been estimated that 170,000 people within the UK suffer from hearing complications due to being exposed to high levels of noise in the workplace. The initiative ‘Buy Quiet’ has been designed to educate people to what they can do in order to reduce noise levels.

The HSE are particularly interested in building a closer working relationship with manufacturers and understanding what can be done to make reductions at work.

An event was held in March 2010 where the relevant businesses and organisations met up to debate how noise plays a big role in their daily lives and how it can impact on your hearing.

The workshop aimed to give information on the legal rules regarding noise levels and to help employers acknowledge the risk factors that are associated with noise induced hearing loss.

By law employers are required to monitor noise levels under The Control of Noise at Work Regulations Act. There are duties that employers have to fulfil in order to look after the interests of their employees. All employers must assess the risk to their employees and take action to reduce the noise levels if the risk assessment shows there is a need to. In some cases employers will be required to provide their employees with protective hearing protection if the noise levels cannot be controlled any other way. A duty of care is owed to employees and noise levels must be controlled and not exceeding the recommended safe level. Health surveillance tests should be undertaken when there is said to be a risk to the health of any employee.

Deafness claims can be pursued via a qualified solicitor. Tinnitus Claims are also often pursued by people suffering from work place hearing damage.