Soccer’s World Cup: A Science Mecca?

Medical research on South Africa’s notorious vuvuzela horns and their potentially deafening effects has so far proved to be scarce, although medical opportunism has not: On June 15, one Irish firm, Restored Hearing of Dublin, announced that it had developed “a low frequency therapy for people who are suffering from temporary tinnitus,” with a 99% success rate. Also, the firm pointed out helpfully in a news release, World Cup fans don’t have to return home before they begin using it: “This unexpected new customer base can conveniently access our therapy online so that they can continue to enjoy their sporting events without the annoyance of ringing in the ears.”