Apple Highlights Hearing Health Issues Leading Up to Super Bowl LIX

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.

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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.

apple hearing study super bowl
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.

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Top Rated Comments

Cameront9 Avatar
9 months ago
As a deaf person I love Apple for doing this even if the motivation is to sell more AirPods.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannyyankou Avatar
9 months ago
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.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
System603 Avatar
9 months ago
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.



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Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
System603 Avatar
9 months ago

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! ?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
v0lume4 Avatar
9 months ago
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.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
9 months ago
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
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)