Sporting Events Can Damage Your Hearing

The Seattle Seahawks made the news in 2013 - not just for their stellar play on the field. They laid claim to a more dubious distinction that year by setting a new Guinness World Record for crowd noise. Not once, but twice.

On September 15, during a home game against the rival San Francisco 49ers, the Seahawks fans reached a decibel (dB) level of 131.9, breaking the previous record of 131.7 dB, set by fans at a soccer match in Istanbul, Turkey in 2011.

Four weeks later, the Kansas City Chiefs organized a “scream-a-thon” and topped the Seahawks’ record at 137.5 dB. Because of the competitive nature of professional sports, the Seahawks responded with a new record of their own, 137.6 dB, on December 1, reclaiming the title they had held for a month. “Fans know they are going to a football game and not searching for a book at the library,” says NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy. But is this wise?

Dr. Dustin Richards, Owner and Audiologist at Wolfpack Hearing clinic states that while research conclusions on dangerous noise levels differ, 130 dB is unquestionably too loud. He says, “We determine how loud is too loud based on exposure time. It is considered dangerous if you are exposed to 85 dB for 8 hours straight. If you add 3 dB, the requisite time to cause permanent hearing damage is cut in half. So 88 dB only takes 4 hours of exposure. 91 dB takes 2 hours of exposure and so on. If you continue to do the math, you find that 130 dB of sound takes approximately 1 second to permanently damage your hearing.”

Noise-induced hearing loss is irreversible and may lead to tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or permanent hearing loss. Hyperacusis, intolerance to loud sound, is another possible side effect. This can ultimately lead to reduced satisfaction with hearing aids if one ends up needing them.

Dr. Richards notes the conundrum between his occupation and his love for sports. “I would never suggest that fans not cheer as loud when attending games. It is our moral obligation to call the Hogs with as much passion as possible. That said, I’ve measured close to 100 dB at Razorback football games, even in a ‘down year’. You might just consider carrying a set of ear plugs to the games. Even a small reduction in noise can make a substantial difference in protecting your hearing.”

The audiologists at Wolfpack hearing in Fayetteville are skilled in diagnosing and treating hearing loss. For more information or to set up a hearing evaluation, go to Wolfpackhearing.com, or call (479) 957-9300.