Hearing Problems

[n***@gmail.com]

Hi David, I just found your 21+ year old post on this issue after doing a google search on the same topic. My ears have been ringing for about the past two months, which coincides with when I started playing racquetball again for the first time since college. Just wondering whether you ever found any information or resolution on this topic. Thanks!
Nick W.

I've been experiencing some tinnitus (ringing in the ears) the last
couple of years. My hearing is OK and all tests and experiments (diet
change, medication, etc.) have povided no relief. One question that was
asked by the doctor was regarding firing guns. I said no but I play
raquetball and some of the guys I play with murder the ball. She
discounted that as a cause without having a clue how loud a raquetball
court can get. I've been playing for about 3 years and the ringing in
the ears started about 2 years ago. I tried the foam type ear plugs as
an experiment and my resulting play was not good. And, I can't tell if
they help the ringing anyway cuz my ears generally ring all the time.
Can anyone point me to any information or studies on this?
Has anyone experienced hearing problems from raquetball?
This is very frustrating because I love the game but I haven't been able
to eliminate this concern.
--
David M.

[d***@gmail.com]

I purchased a sound meter for this exact reason. I placed it at half court and murdered the ball while hitting the wall pretty hard with the racquet since this is the loudest sound I can think of, the result was 111 dbA! According to some websites on different sound intensities, this is equivalent to a car horn at 1 meter and live rock music and half as loud as a close thunderclap. Hearing damage occurs at this level after only 2 minutes. The average hit was about 98-100 dbA, damage in 14 minutes. Needless to say, I'm getting earplugs soon