Football stadiums are some of the loudest venues in the world, and Houston is surrounded by three of the nation’s “Top 25 Noisiest Stadiums” list including:
- Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin ranks no. 18
- Kyle Field in Aggieland marks no. 13
- Death Valley Tiger Stadium ranks no. 1
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health states that levels of 85 decibels for an eight-hour time period can cause hearing loss. For every three-decibel increase in sound level, the recommended time of exposure is cut in half. The stadium average is 88 decibels, meaning four hours of exposure can cause permanent hearing loss!
October is National Audiology Awareness Month, and the audiology experts at Texas ENT Specialists share the following tips for football fans:
- Don’t forget to pack your hearing protection (foam plugs, custom products, musician ear plugs, etc.)
- Maintain a safe distance from the music/noise source
- Reduce the duration of noise exposure
- Monitor hearing status through regular hearing screenings
