New Research Highlights Noise Hazards in Sports Venues

March 1, 2013 - Noise hazards in sports venues can have an impact on the hearing health of both sports officials and spectators, according to two papers published in the January issue of Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (JOEH).  

The first article, which studies noise exposures in hockey arenas during collegiate and semi-professional hockey games, reveals that a significant number of workers and spectators are exposed to harmful noise levels.

The second article looks at hearing loss among sports officials. A survey that assessed officials’ exposure to whistle noise and symptoms of hearing loss and tinnitus found that the whistle contributes to hearing loss.

“These two papers describe a health hazard – high noise levels causing permanent hearing loss – that is prevalent but pretty much unappreciated in the world of sports,” said JOEH Editor in Chief Mark Nicas, PhD, CIH. “We hope these papers will alert the sports world to explore preventive measures.”

Noise controls are often only enforced in industries known for frequent noise exposure, such as manufacturing and construction, but high noise levels in any workplace put employees at risk for noise-induced hearing loss.

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