How loud is an ice hockey game?
An ice hockey game averages roughly 81 to 104 dBA in the stands, depending on the arena and the occasion. A dosimeter worn at three 2006 Stanley Cup final games recorded game averages of 100.7 to 104.1 dB, and area monitoring at two US arenas measured mean levels of 81 to 97 dBA with peaks of 105 to 124 dBA.
- Level
- 81–104.1 dBAA-weighted sound level
- Daily limit
- 5 min 49 s a dayNIOSH, at the loud end
- Versus conversation
- 1,012× energyabout 8.0× as loud
What the numbers mean
How it was measured. Whole-game averages from a dosimeter worn near a fan's ear at three 2006 Stanley Cup final games in Edmonton (100.7 to 104.1 dB, A-weighted dosimeter), and mean equivalent levels from area monitoring at two US college and semi-professional arenas (81 to 97 dBA).
During the 2006 Stanley Cup finals in Edmonton, a researcher wore a data-logging dosimeter near his ear for whole games. Average levels were 104.1, 100.7 and 103.1 dB, and goals produced obvious spikes. At those levels, the maximum allowable daily noise dose was reached in less than 6 minutes, and each unprotected fan received about 8100% of a daily allowable dose.
Two fans tested before and after game 3 showed temporary hearing threshold shifts of 5 to 10 dB at most frequencies, and 20 dB at 4000 Hz in one ear for one of them.
Ordinary games are quieter but still loud. At a US college arena and a semi-professional arena, mean equivalent levels ranged from 81 to 96 dBA and 85 to 97 dBA, and mean peak levels from 105 to 124 dBA.
How long is safe?
NIOSH recommends no more than 5 min 49 s a day at 104.1 dBA (no limit at the quiet end, 81). OSHA's legal limit is 1 h 8 min.
| Level | NIOSH limit (85 dBA, 3 dB rule) | OSHA limit (90 dBA, 5 dB rule) | UK/EU 80 dB(A) action value reached after | UK/EU 85 dB(A) action value reached after |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81 dBA | No limit | No limit | 6 h 21 min | Not reached in 24 h |
| 104.1 dBA | 5 min 49 s | 1 h 8 min | 1 min 52 s | 5 min 54 s |
Times are for a whole day’s exposure, with the rest of the day quiet. The workplace limits were written for adults at work, not for children. Work out a mixed day with the noise dose calculator.
Protecting your hearing
Foam earplugs, which the CMAJ authors say attenuate by about 25 to 30 dB, would bring a playoff game's average below 80 dB. Season ticket holders and arena staff have the most to gain.
Earplug and earmuff ratings (NRR in the US, SNR in the UK and EU) are lab figures; real-world protection is usually lower. How to read the ratings.
Compared with sounds nearby
Using midpoints of each range. Energy multiplies by 10 every 10 dB; perceived loudness roughly doubles (why).
- Gym fitness class (85.6–93.1 dBA): this has about 2.1× its sound energy and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- London Underground (80–100 dBA): this has about 1.8× its sound energy and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- Strimmer (string trimmer) (87.9–101.5 dBA): it has about 1.6× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- Tractor (91.7–100 dBA): it has about 2.1× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.3× as loud.
- Normal conversation (55–70 dBA): this has about 1,012× its energy and sounds about 8.0× as loud.
Questions
How fast can a hockey game use up a day's safe noise dose?
At the levels measured in the 2006 Stanley Cup finals, in less than 6 minutes.
Do earplugs spoil the game?
The CMAJ authors note cheap foam earplugs reduce sound by about 25 to 30 dB and that communication in noise is actually easier with earplugs.
Sources
- Can hockey playoffs harm your hearing?, CMAJ (2006). Supports: dB_high: 104.1 dB game average.
The average exposure levels for each game (> 3 hours) were 104.1, 100.7 and 103.1 dB.
Checked 2026-11-02. - Can hockey playoffs harm your hearing?, CMAJ (2006). Supports: under 6 minutes.
For the levels experienced in game 3 of the series, the time to reach the maximum allowable daily noise dose was less than 6 minutes.
Checked 2026-11-02. - Can hockey playoffs harm your hearing?, CMAJ (2006). Supports: earplug attenuation.
Even the cheapest foam earplugs will attenuate sounds by about 25 to 30 dB.
Checked 2026-11-02. - Occupational and recreational noise exposure from indoor arena hockey games, Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (2013). Supports: dB_low: 81 dBA.
Mean equivalent sound pressure levels ranged from 81 to 96 dBA at Venue 1 and from 85 to 97 dBA at Venue 2.
Checked 2026-11-02. - Occupational and recreational noise exposure from indoor arena hockey games, Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (2013). Supports: peaks 105-124 dBA.
Mean noise peak levels ranged from 105 to 124 dBA at Venue 1, and from 110 to 117 dBA at Venue 2.
Checked 2026-11-02.
This page is general information, not medical advice. If you have ringing in your ears, muffled hearing or any change in your hearing, see an audiologist or your doctor.