This was forwarded to me by Sara Coulter on behalf of Oticon to share with you. Be sure to click on the links below the post and check out the infographics.
Oticon Audiologist Blows the Whistle on Big Game Noise and Hearing Health
Whether you’re catching the Big
Game in Phoenix or your hometown, noise levels on and away from the field can
sideline your hearing health – and even lead to permanent damage.
“There’s a lot of noise around the game,
the teams and the players as football fans gear up for Super Bowl Sunday,” says
Dr. Mazevski. “But it’s the actual noise on the field and in the stands that
can create challenges for hearing health.”
Cheering fans can raise noise
levels in NFL football stadiums to ear-damaging levels. The average volume is estimated to be in the
mid-90 decibel range – about the level of power tools. This fall, Kansas City Chiefs fans upset the
noise record for the loudest outdoor sports stadium coming in at a roaring
142.2 decibels, about the range of fireworks blast. Dr. Mazevski points out
that repeated expose to sounds louder than 85-decibels can cause permanent
hearing loss.
If you didn’t score a ticket to the
Big Game, you may still be exposed to unhealthy noise levels watching the game
from your local sports bar. Fan excitement can drive up noise levels in
off-the-field locations as well. A group
of Oticon audiologists tested noise levels during NFL playoffs at popular sports
bars in several cities. They found that
on average, bar noise was in the 80 decibel range, about the noise level of an
alarm clock. During touchdowns, fan
noise rose to 110 decibels and during big plays, reached 114.9 decibels -
louder than a car horn.
Don’t think players on the field
are spared exposure to noise in the stands.
Football helmets are designed to protect players’ heads, not their
hearing. Openings on either side of the helmet allow them to hear crowd noise
and calls on the field. When Oticon audiologists measured sound levels with a
regulation helmet, using KEMAR, an acoustic research mannequin, sound levels
were virtually the same with and without the helmet.
How to tackle the noise? Dr. Mazevski recommends investing in inexpensive
ear plugs to protect hearing from big game noise. At just under $3.50 for a package of ten
pairs, it’s about the best bargain fans are likely to see this season. In recent years, Super Bowl ticket prices
have averaged between $500 and $600.
It makes good hearing sense for
fans to stay alert to noise damage post-game too. It’s not uncommon for ears to
ring for a short period after being in a noisy environment. If the ringing doesn’t go away after 3 or
more days however, Dr. Mazevski recommends a checkup with a hearing care
professional.
Check out Oticon’s colorful Sports & Noise Infographic for more
hearing health facts and to learn how noise affects crowds, players and
referees. Visit
oticonusa.com/infographic.
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Thanks for sharing such interesting detail about oticon audiologist. We provide various services such as websites for Audiologist, which will help to understand better about the product. We even offer 3D videos to keep patient updated about the procedures.
ReplyDeleteabout the range of fireworks blast. Dr. Mazevski points out that repeated expose to sounds louder than 85-decibels can cause permanent hearing loss. gladys cobb
ReplyDeleteOur world is becoming so noisy, no wonder hearing loss is on the rise. Did you know that 1 in 5 young people now deal with hearing loss?
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