Protect Your Ears at Your Favorite Sporting Events

Summertime is here and for a lot of us that means it is time for outdoor sports. Not only are we outside running and sweating, but it’s a great time to get out to the game to watch other people sweat! Get out to the old ball game, check out a soccer match or even enjoy the thrill of NASCAR racing! It’s not only the thrill of the game, the joy of victory and the emotional rollercoaster of defeat—it’s sweet concessions, savory treats, music in the air and  the people cheering in the stands, all together at once! There really isn’t anything like it to make memories that will stay bright throughout the years. However, while you are there, it is important to be mindful of the volume. Sport areas are famous for being dangerously loud leaving you with not only lasting memories but permanent hearing loss!

Noise Induced Hearing Loss

When many people think of hearing loss they think first of it as a condition which affects older adults. While this is true—one in three over the age of 65 will have lasting hearing loss a number that jumps to one in two for those 75 years and older—hearing loss can occur to anyone at any age. In fact the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that 1.1 billion people between the ages of 12 to 35 may be at risk for hearing loss due to unsafe listening levels at entertainment venues. This includes nightclubs, concerts, auditoriums and yes even your favorite stadium event. 

Think about how thrilling it is to shout and cheer for your team. You may be trying to out cheer fans for the competing team or joining along in the cacophony. Mix this with music, vendors shouting to advertise and announcers over the intercom and before you know it, sounds have reached dangerously loud levels of noise.

How Loud Is Too Loud?

The volume or loudness of sound is measured in decibels (dBA). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that “Noise above 70 dB over a prolonged period of time may start to damage your hearing.” It is not just the decibel level but the length of exposure. At 70 dBA it may take 24 hours for damage to begin, which can be devastating for those who live in noisy areas such as urban environments or close to airports and factories.  However at 85 dBA, a constant exposure can damage your hearing in around eight hours. For every increase of three decibels from this point the sound exposure is cut in half. For instance, at 88 dBA sounds can be damaged in 4 hours and at 91 dBA sounds can cause damage in two. However, the record for the loudest sports game comes from Arrowhead Stadium where the decibel level was recorded at 142.2 dBA, in the first quarter of the Chiefs’ game against the Patriots on Sept. 29, 2014!

Enjoying Your Favorite Sporting Events Safely

You don’t have to stop going to your favorite sporting event—we just urge you to listen safely. Here are some tips to help you enjoy your favorite arena sports game without inducing permanent hearing damage in the process:

Wear Ear Protection

You can cut the decibel exposure simply by being conscientious about wearing hearing protection. They come in many styles from over-the-ear earmuffs, custom molded earplugs, or disposable foam earplugs. Depending on the style, ear protection can reduce the volume from 15 to 33 dBA, which can be the difference between avoiding permanent hearing damage. The important key is anticipating when you will be exposed to loud sounds so you have your hearing protection with you and you can be sure to wear them.

Try Noise-canceling Headphones

For the loudest games regular hearing protection may not be able to cut off the sounds which damage your hearing. For these very loud games you may want to invest in a pair of noise canceling hearing protection. These allow quieter sounds in while detecting the ambient volume of your environment. If sounds rise beyond unsafe levels, they will automatically reduce the volume to protect your hearing.

Take Breaks

The longer you listen the higher the risk, so don’t be afraid to step away to take a break. Your ears will thank you!

For more tips on protecting your hearing or if you suspect you have hearing loss, don’t hesitate to contact us to find out more today!