09/10/2024
Are Sports Fans at Risk for Hearing Loss?
Do your ears ring during or after the event?
Must you shout in order to talk to a companion within an arm’s length?
Have you experienced temporary hearing loss after leaving the event?
Packing people into a stadium to cheer on their favorite sports team might sound like the makings of a perfect activity, but there is a hidden danger to such a wholesome pastime. An afternoon spent rooting for the home team raises red flags around hearing health. A lively and raucous crowd of cheering fans at the average NFL game can create noise levels of around 80 to 90 decibels. That sort of noise is firmly within the unhealthy and potentially damaging range, and that’s at a traditionally outdoor and unenclosed venue! You don’t have to hang up your jersey just yet, but there are a few factors to take into consideration if a snagging a seat in the stands is your favorite pastime.
How to protect your ears in too-loud situations-
And while acoustics unique to specific stadiums or arenas might be particularly deafening, it really comes down to the volume of the fans. A rowdy crowd is a rowdy crowd, no matter what container you put them in. The aspect of control you have within this scenario is how you choose to protect yourself. This could be as simple as regular intervals of moving over to a quieter place to give your ears a break.
Another option to protect your hearing health involves ear protection. Ear protection earmuffs or foam earplugs from the convenience store won’t break the bank, but they will reduce noise levels by a considerable amount. Bringing noise levels down by 20 to 30 decibels de-escalates an unhealthy hearing situation back into something manageable and sustainable for your sensitive auditory system.
Have any questions let us know? What has been bothering you?
