The Super Bowl is more than just a football game; it’s an American cultural phenomenon that draws millions of viewers each year. While fans tune in for the on-field action and halftime show, there’s another factor that makes the event stand out—noise levels.
But just how loud does it actually get? And what does that mean for your hearing? A new Apple Hearing Study provides surprising insights into the nationwide noise levels recorded by Apple Watches during past Super Bowl Sundays.
📊 The Apple Hearing Study: Unveiling Noise Patterns
The Apple Hearing Study, a collaboration between Apple and the University of Michigan, is an ongoing research initiative that explores how sound exposure affects hearing health. Using data from over 115,000 participants, researchers track environmental noise levels using the Noise app on Apple Watches.
🔹 Key findings from past studies:
- Noise levels dropped significantly during COVID-19 lockdowns
- Daily noise exposure varies based on lifestyle & location
- Loud sound exposure can impact cardiovascular health
For this Super Bowl study, researchers analyzed four years (2021–2024) of noise data from Apple Watches to compare Super Bowl Sunday noise levels to regular Sundays.
🏈 Super Bowl Sundays: Louder Than You Think
The study found that Super Bowl Sundays are significantly louder across the U.S. when compared to the Sunday after the game.
🔹 Key findings:
- Noise levels increase by 1.5 to 3 decibels on Super Bowl Sunday
- The loudest spikes occur 3 hours before and 3 hours after the game
- In states where the Super Bowl teams are from, noise levels are twice as high
- The host state experiences the loudest increases in noise exposure
⚠️ Why does this matter?
A 3 dB increase represents double the sound energy, meaning Super Bowl noise exposure could impact hearing over time.
⌚ The Apple Watch: Your Personal Noise Monitor
The Apple Watch Noise app helps users track their daily sound exposure in real-time.
How It Works:
✅ Real-time monitoring – Displays live decibel levels
✅ Alerts – Warns users if noise exceeds 90 dB
✅ Historical tracking – Logs noise data in the Health app
✅ Customizable thresholds – Adjust alert levels to personal preferences
By using Apple Watch noise tracking, users can become more aware of how everyday events impact hearing health.
🔊 Understanding Noise Exposure Risks
Prolonged exposure to loud sounds can lead to Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL).
🔹 WHO Guidelines for Safe Sound Exposure:
- 24-hour noise exposure limit: 70 dBA
- Headphone listening recommendation: 75 dBA (over 24 hours)
- 8-hour work exposure limit: 80 dBA
Common Noise Levels for Reference:
| Noise Source | dB Level |
|---|---|
| Normal Conversation | 65 dB |
| Vacuum Cleaner | 70 dB |
| Super Bowl Sunday 🚨 | 72-75 dB |
| Concert/Crowd Noise | 90+ dB |
During Super Bowl Sunday, noise exposure can exceed safe limits, particularly in bars, watch parties, and stadiums.
🛡️ How to Protect Your Hearing on Super Bowl Sunday
🏈 If you're attending a watch party, sports bar, or the actual game, take these precautions:
🔸 Use the Noise App – Keep track of noise levels
🔸 Wear Earplugs – Especially at live events or loud parties
🔸 Take Listening Breaks – Step outside or lower the volume periodically
🔸 Use Noise-Canceling Headphones – Helps reduce background noise
🔸 Limit Exposure Time – Shorter exposure = less risk
By monitoring and managing your noise exposure, you can enjoy Super Bowl Sunday without risking long-term hearing damage.
📢 Beyond the Super Bowl: The Apple Hearing Study’s Bigger Picture
The Apple Hearing Study isn’t just about sports events—it’s gathering long-term data to:
✔️ Analyze headphone listening trends
✔️ Study how noise affects cardiovascular health
✔️ Understand how people respond to sound exposure data
How You Can Join the Study
If you're an Apple Watch user in the U.S., you can participate in the Apple Hearing Study via the Apple Research app (available in the App Store).
Your contribution helps scientists develop better hearing protection guidelines and raise awareness about the impact of everyday noise exposure.
🏆 Conclusion: The Super Bowl’s Hidden Health Impact
Super Bowl Sunday is a day of celebration, but it also exposes millions of people to higher-than-normal noise levels.
While the Apple Watch Noise app makes it easier to monitor and protect your hearing, awareness is key—being mindful of noise exposure can prevent long-term hearing damage.
Want to learn more? Check out the full study findings in the Apple Research app.