Abstract
BackgroundSkydiving is a popular recreational sport for the young and old. There is minimal research pertaining to skydiving and its relation to the audiological system. The risks of skydiving in relation to the auditory system should be explored further.AimsThe main aim of this study was to explore the relationship between skydiving and audiology in South Africa. The sub-aims of the study focused on determining if skydivers were provided with safety precautions before they commenced with the dive, determining the middle ear pressure before and after the skydive and identifying the audiological symptoms that were present post-dive. This study also aimed at scrutinising the South African sports and recreation policy.MethodA mixed-method descriptive research design was utilised. Qualitative information pertaining to audiology was identified and recorded from the scrutiny of South Africa (SA) policy and the dropzone consent forms at two skydiving schools. Thirty-one skydivers were purposefully recruited to undergo a pre- and post-dive tympanometric assessment.ResultsThere is no information within the clearance forms that pertain to the audiological risks related to skydiving. There was a lack of information related to the risks of skydiving in the clearance forms at both dive schools. A statistically significant pressure change was noted in regular skydivers, regardless of the ability to equalise effectively during the skydive.ConclusionThis study identified the gaps in policy and clearance forms, highlighting the need for the inclusion of safety measures and risks in the documentation and legislation that governs the sport. Audiologists, sportspeople and medical advisors should be cognisant of the negative consequences that may be evident within the auditory system of skydivers.
Highlights
Risk-taking behaviours are usually considered to be socially unacceptable and reckless with negative consequences
The information in the clearance forms pertaining to the audiological risks such as barotrauma to the middle or inner ear was non-existent
The Parachute Association of South Africa, the governing body that is responsible for the safety measures that are implemented in the sport (PASA, 2012), needs to include more detailed information pertaining to the different options of skydiving and the related risk to the hearing system to ensure that all participants are making informed decisions
Summary
Risk-taking behaviours are usually considered to be socially unacceptable and reckless with negative consequences. Barotrauma to the ear may affect the middle or inner ear with symptoms and signs such as tinnitus, vertigo, otalgia, hearing loss or rupture of the tympanic membrane (Bentz & Hughes, 2012). Skydiving is an extreme sport that may negatively affect the hearing mechanism of the participant. The risks involved in participating in a sport should be highlighted in the consent forms that are signed by the participant This will ensure that the participant is fully aware of the negative consequences that may occur. The Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act of 2010 does not include any information that is related to the safety of sports participants (Republic of South Africa, 2010), and the safety section within the legislation pertains to the attendance of a sporting event. The risks of skydiving in relation to the auditory system should be explored further
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