Apple Highlights Hearing Health Issues Leading Up to Super Bowl LIX

[MacRumors]

Apple and the University of Michigan have released new results from the Apple Hearing Study highlighting the increase in noise levels seen around recent Super Bowl games. The results come just ahead of Super Bowl LIX taking place in New Orleans on Sunday, February 9.

Based on data collected from over 115,000 users via the Noise app on Apple Watch in the Apple Hearing Study, researchers found that study partipicants were exposed to noise levels about 1.5 to 3 decibels higher over the past four Super Bowl games compared to the following Sundays.

While the study's authors note that a 3 dB increase may be "barely noticeable," given the logarithmic nature of the decibel scale it equates to up to a doubling of sound energy that can be detrimental to hearing health.

Noise levels were significantly higher for users in states where the Super Bowl was played and whose teams participated in the game each year, compared to those in other states, likely representing a higher number of users in those states gathering for the game, potentially in larger groups and louder environments.

Alongside the results, Apple has highlighted some of the hearing health features offered through the company's devices, including the Noise app on Apple Watch that can alert you to high environmental sound levels and the Hearing Protection feature of AirPods Pro 2 that can reduce your sound exposure in loud environments.

Article Link: Apple Highlights Hearing Health Issues Leading Up to Super Bowl LIX

 

[contacos]

Some give you special discounts, others state the obvious happening in a noisy environment haha

 

[System603]

Apple must be fun at parties.

No, it's a good cause and interesting statistics. Tinnitus is a real P.I.T.A., and unnecessary permanent hearing loss, however slight, is no less. The chart shows average that's more than okay, but I get the idea about the first decile... air horns, people screaming into each other's ears, fireworks...

I love using AirPods Pro at random concerts. And the fact that I can check both the original and AirPods' adjusted noise level on my Apple Watch.

 

[meson]

The standard for requiring hearing protection is exposure to 85 decibels for 8 hours per day, 4 hours at 90 decibels, 15 minutes at 120 decibels.

Exposure to a slightly more intense environment at 1% of the acoustic energy is not going to affect an individual's hearing long term. The authors were being a bit facetious with the double the energy comment.

Standing next to the speaker array for the duration of a rock concert is a problem, being the same neighborhood or city as a Super Bowl is not. A longitudinal study of noise level street vendors in the heart of a metropolitan area are exposed to because they are hovering near the requirement for hearing protection for long periods would be far more interesting.

 

[v0lume4]

Tinnitus and hearing loss isn’t a joke. Protect your hearing, friends! That way you can still hear the TV and have fun with your buddies at 50, 60 and beyond.

 

[turbineseaplane]

One of my favorite features of the iPhone combined with AirPods is how it keeps track of making sure I’m not listening too loud

 

[Cameront9]

As a deaf person I love Apple for doing this even if the motivation is to sell more AirPods.

 

[dannyyankou]

AirPods Pro really came in handy last month when I walked into a Sam’s Club and the fire alarm went off. One of the loudest sounds I’ve ever heard, but the AirPods reduced the sound. Even with transparency on.

 

[Daalseth]

AirPods Pro really came in handy last month when I walked into a Sam’s Club and the fire alarm went off. One of the loudest sounds I’ve ever heard, but the AirPods reduced the sound. Even with transparency on.

Yes that’s one of the big things making me think about getting a set of AirPodsPro. the hearing protection features.

 

[meson]

Apple must be fun at parties.

No, it's a good cause and interesting statistics. Tinnitus is a real P.I.T.A., and unnecessary permanent hearing loss, however slight, is no less. The chart shows average that's more than okay, but I get the idea about the first decile... air horns, people screaming into each other's ears, fireworks...

I love using AirPods Pro at random concerts. And the fact that I can check both the original and AirPods' adjusted noise level on my Apple Watch.

View attachment 2477358View attachment 2477359

More info about scenarios like this is way more beneficial than the chart shown in the original article, or some info binned by proximity to the stadium.

 

[Expos of 1969]

Tomorrow's press release from the Hearing Study will highlight the increase in noise levels seen in areas close to Space X rocket launches...

 

[System603]

AirPods Pro really came in handy last month when I walked into a Sam’s Club and the fire alarm went off. One of the loudest sounds I’ve ever heard, but the AirPods reduced the sound. Even with transparency on.

I can relate. During a fire drill at my workplace, the alarm was so loud that instead of making me act faster, it almost shut me down - I just kept walking automatically, like I was on autopilot. Apple Watch buzzed (loud environment notification), that helped me to snap out of it, I put on my AirPods Pro, and left the building feeling much calmer.

No life saving story here, obviously, but boy was I really glad that I have these gadgets. Sure, I could use fingers in my ears and save a bunch of $$$, but still. Also, my brain evidently did not brain that day... maybe because I rely on too many Apple gadgets! 😅

 

[Thehangmn]

I love the hearing protection feature. I wear my AirPods Pro at every movie I go to in the theater because they are WAY too loud.

 

[Dr McKay]

I get multiple warnings a day, each time I dry my hands at work I get the "loud environment" warning, so I'm betting my data is essentially useless.

 

[Ruby Red]

It amazes me that the younger generation has no clue that they are permanently damaging their hearing with the loud music they surround themselves with. I sat on a 5" 50 caliber gun mount when I was serving in the USN as Gun Safety Officer and have permanent damage to both ears. I have been a musician for most of my life and not being able to hear my instruments accurately is a major loss.

 

[bLackjackj]

Is it not possible for Apple to stick with focusing on hardware? Pretty bleed'n obvious no? I go to basketball games and the noise level is consistently above 80db. 🙄🤦‍♂️..even on a train I get notifications.