Big Games and Big Noise

With football season gearing up and the World Series on the horizon in the fall, it’s a good time to talk about Game Day and our hearing. No matter who you’re rooting for, things can get loud – and we don’t mean just in the stadium. Wherever you like to settle in and watch a good game, make sure you take a moment to protect your hearing. You’ll want to hear the final score announcement clearly!

Here are our professional tips on how to enjoy the game safely:

Watching the game at the stadium or ballpark?

Congratulations on scoring tickets! Ensure you’re fully prepared with hearing protection, because things are going to get loud. Researchers have measured noise levels at baseball games at up to nearly 92 decibels (dB). Exposure to noises louder than just 85 dB over time can lead to hearing damage and tinnitus. So, while you’re over by the snack bar, make sure you grab a pair of ear plugs, too.

Watching the game at a bar?

Sports bars and pubs can be surprisingly loud, too, and can even warrant some hearing protection. Here’s why. A group of Oticon audiologists visited popular sports bars during playoffs, measuring noise levels. On average, those levels hovered around the 70 dB range, which is the audio equivalent of a vacuum cleaner. However, during big plays like touchdowns or home runs they spiked to 110 dB – more like the sound of a jackhammer. And even construction workers wear hearing protection.

Fun fact! It’s not just you. It really IS loud in here.

If it feels like sports fans are getting louder, that’s because they are. In 2014, fans in Kansas City Arrowhead Stadium reached an ear-shattering 142.2 decibel crowd roar and set a Guinness World Record in the process. That’s louder than a jet plane, and prolonged exposure can actually cause physical pain and injury.

Root for the home team and have fun!

You don’t have to skip the game and you don’t have to miss out on the exciting sounds, either. Just take these safety tips into consideration:

  • Use ear protection, like earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones. Or, set your hearing devices to the arena or bar’s loop system (if a loop system is available) for a direct broadcast of the game with less crowd noise. We can let you know if your hearing aids are loop-ready – just ask.
  • Take “noise” breaks by stepping away to a quieter area regularly to give your ears a rest. If you find yourself experiencing an earache or headache, you definitely need a break.
  • Limit your exposure to loud noises; for example, if you have season tickets, you may not want to attend every single game. Your ears will thank you later.

Remember, a professional football or baseball game can run three hours or more depending on how the game goes. This counts as prolonged sound exposure and taking a minute to protect your hearing is worth it. 

Hearing Care is Health Care™

Thanks for catching up with us today. And remember, our practice is proud to offer Oticon BrainHearingTM technology, which helps support the brain’s role in making sense of sound. Giving your brain the information it needs to process important sounds with less work means a whole new world of sound to experience.

Find out how we can help you find a hearing aid solution that works best for your unique needs and keeps your hearing health in mind. To schedule an appointment, call 812-273-6262.

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