Method: Using a sensitive digital dosimeter (calibrated after every use) data was collected during 8 sporting events at 8 different facilities within a two hour radius of the principal investigator. Data was collected using OSHA’s noise survey recommended steps (OSHA, 2012). In addition, data on the facilities architectural characteristics, design, materials, size, age of facility, age of participants, and the numbers of participants in the facility were collected. Size of the buildings varied between a small gym in a primary school to large arenas, and the construction ages ranged (1968-2012).
Analysis/Results: Levels during indoor recreation sports activities averaged 92 dBA and peaked on numerous occasions to as high as 110 dBA and during three college level basketball sporting events recorded an average dBA of 98 and peaks at 115 dBA in student sections. Additionally, those included facilities in testing have terrible reverberation responses rates averaging between 7.5-8.5 s.
Conclusions: None of the facilities had any apparent forms of acoustic damping or reductions, safety procedures for staff related to hearing were not considered by staff or management, no hearing conservation program exists for these types of facilities that could be found, and the facilities acoustical design did not seem to be considered when the facilities were built. Anecdotal discussions with staff stated that they did experience ringing in their ears and had noticed hearing difficulties that they were concerned about. Future facilities may want to consider designs with sound damping components, and existing facilities may want to add sound damping components to their facilities and create sound protection procedures for their staff.