Latest news with #NIHL
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Basingstoke Bison set to return to ice but Bees pause playing
Fans have spoken of their "euphoria" following confirmation their team will return to competition in Hampshire-based Basingstoke Bison have been absent from the last two years of the NIHL National League - British ice hockey's second to their home rink, Planet Ice Basingstoke, were originally scheduled to only last one year but announcement of new ownership last month, and confirmation from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council that a new company had been found to take over the rink's long-term lease, has secured their place in the NIHL. Supporters of the Bison have weathered a period of uncertainty around the club's future. For fans it is a long-awaited and emotional return."It means everything to us," said Jean Cashman, one of the first ever season ticket holders at the club."It's more than sport. It's family."Another fan added, "It's been rough. Every weekend, sitting there thinking "I should be at a game tonight," it's like a hole is missing, a chunk has been taken out of you, you're just waiting for it to fit back into place. And now it's finally going to!"Fans met with the new ownership for the first time earlier this month in Basingstoke, where new and returning members of the squad were presented."We've fought for ice hockey in Basingstoke for many, many years," explained Caroline Morris, whose family have remained in the same seats at the arena since the club's founding in 1988. "We've been at the council offices so many times as a family, trying to fight for our team. So it's euphoria. Absolute euphoria for everybody." Steve Nell, who played ice hockey for 17 years before moving into management, joins Rob Firmin as the two new operators of the club."I used to play here in 1991 and 1992, so I knew the town, it's got a heritage," said Nell."It's got a great hockey background and we've had some success over the years. Our job is to try and bring that back and bring some long-term sustainability to the club."The rink is expected to open in summer before the 2025-26 NIHL season begins in September. But while the Bison are back the Berkshire Bees have announced they will be taking a break from competing."It was a really tough decision." said Graeme Bower, director of the Berkshire Bees."We need a moment in time to do the things that mean we can stay around for the long term."It's not just finance, it's everything. What we don't want is to start this season and three quarters of the way through the season we go "Oh heck" we're never going to make another season after this one". The Berkshire Bees, who play at the Slough Ice Arena rebranded last year in a bid to give the club a strong Bees hope to take inspiration from the Bison and return stronger in future seasons. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Hindu
01-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
NIHL becomes a leading cause of acquired auditory damage
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) has emerged as a leading, yet fully preventable, cause of acquired auditory damage. While occasional loud noise may appear harmless, continuous or intense exposure can lead to a range of short and long-term health effects, say experts at the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH) in Mysuru. NIHL is permanent, resulting from sustained exposure to high-decibel environments. Globally, it is the second most common type of acquired hearing loss after age-related hearing loss, technically termed as 'Presbycusis'. AIISH's audiologists Aysha Nida and Sandeep Maruthy say early symptoms such as auditory fatigue, where hearing temporarily recovers after leaving a noisy environment, often go unnoticed. 'But prolonged exposure leads to irreversible damage, with consequences including tinnitus (ringing in the ears), hyperacusis (sensitivity to sound), and communication difficulties that impact professional and social life,' they said. Quoting World Health Organisation data, the audiologists said over 1.1 billion young people aged between 12 and 35 are at risk of hearing damage due to unsafe listening practices. In India, both industrial workers and youth using personal listening devices face rising vulnerability. A study in Mysuru, conducted by Sreeraj Konadath of the AIISH, reported that noise levels in commercial, residential, and even sensitive zones routinely exceeded the permissible limits set by the Central Pollution Control Board. 'These findings raise concerns about weak enforcement and a lack of public awareness. Industrial screening in Mysuru also revealed that several workers were already exhibiting signs of NIHL, highlighting the urgency of workplace interventions,' Ms. Nida and Mr. Maruthy said, in a write-up on the occasion of International Noise Awareness Day. AIISH, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has long been at the forefront of preventing NIHL through its industrial hearing screening programme (IHSP). The initiative regularly screens industrial workers and other high-risk groups using a copyrighted, evidence-based testing protocol to identify individuals affected by NIHL or at risk of developing it, according to the audiologists. In addition to screening, AIISH has developed a 'structured protocol' for mapping occupational noise levels in various industries. This allows for accurate prediction of NIHL risk among workers, enabling targeted preventive measures, they said. Given the growing burden of NIHL, the AIISH is calling on stakeholders across the country to take proactive steps. The institute has been advocating for making noise mapping and hearing screening mandatory across all industries exposed to hazardous noise levels. With its technical expertise and established protocols, the AIISH can serve as a nodal mentoring centre for guiding and supporting the nationwide implementation of these essential services, the note from the AIISH said. 'On the occasion of International Noise Awareness Day, let us recognise that the ability to hear is not just a sensory experience but a social and emotional is preventable, and the time to act is now. By recognising early signs, adopting protective habits, and making informed choices, we can preserve the gift of hearing for generations to come,' suggest Ms. Nida and Mr. Maruthy.
