Extreme crowd noise can trigger hearing issues and ringing in the ears, says CNC Hearing and Balance Center in New Orleans.
Go Saints! The 70,000 Whodats in the Caesers Superdome are the perfect 12th man. Great for football but the noise level can have a lasting impact on your hearing. On Sundays, thousands of Saints fans cheer loud and proud and routinely push noise levels above 105 decibels, according to readings on a sound meter viewed by the New Orleans Advocate. It is not unusual for levels to reach 110 decibels during the most exciting parts of the game.
That makes for great football but according to CDC guidelines, that level of sustained noise has the potential to damage your hearing. You can still experience the excitement by using earplugs or earmuffs. At the very least, purchase some online or over the counter. But for maximum protection, invest in earplugs made to fit the contours of your ear. Rolled-up tissue offers no hearing protection! An easy solution for kids is a set of earmuffs that can be purchased on Amazon or Baby Banz.
At CNC Hearing and Balance Center, our audiologists can custom-fit earplugs to offer maximum protection for your hearing. The process takes only a few minutes to make an impression of your ear canal. The impression is then sent to a lab, where a customized earplug is made to perfectly fit the shape of your ear.
You will get a lot of use out of your customized earplugs. They can be used for many years and for many different events, not just extremely loud football games or concerts. Earplugs are useful protection against more moderate sounds at sustained levels. The effect of lower volumes listened to over long periods is the same as that of louder sounds heard over a short period.
At CNC Hearing & Balance Center, we also offer free hearing screenings to assess whether you need a hearing aid or device. Call our clinic at 504-934-8320.
