Hearing Loss in Old Age Isn’t Due to Normal Aging

Daniel Fink MD – DJFink@thequietcoalition.org

Program Chair
The Quiet Coalition
A program of Quiet Communities, Inc.
P.O. Box 533
Lincoln MA, USA

Popular version of 4aPP11 – Moderate to severe hearing loss is not part of normal aging
Presented at the 189th ASA Meeting
Read the abstract at https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0041135

–The research described in this Acoustics Lay Language Paper may not have yet been peer reviewed–

Is hearing loss in older people normal? It certainly is common, but the radical conclusion proposed in this summary paper is that it isn’t part of normal aging. Hearing loss in older people, technically called presbycusis or age-related hearing loss, is really the result of exposure to too much noise over one’s lifetime. The hearing loss common in old age is entirely preventable by reducing exposure to loud noise. Figure 1 shows how too much noise causes hearing loss by damaging the hair cells in the cochlea in the inner ear.

Figure 1. Top: Auditory structures from external ear (pinna) to auditory nerve. Bottom: Normal and damaged hair cells. From Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How does loud noise cause hearing loss?

Why does this matter? If something is caused by normal aging, like thinning gray hair, nothing can be done about it. But if a condition common in old age is due to something that can be changed, like diet, exercise, or avoiding harmful exposures, maybe it can be delayed or prevented entirely.

Many conditions common in older people, once thought to be due to normal aging, have been shown to be preventable. These include obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, muscle weakness, heart disease, skin cancers, and even dementia. Age-related hearing loss should be added to this list.

A number of studies done in the 1960s in isolated populations not exposed to loud noise found good hearing preserved to age 70. For example, a study of hearing in the isolated Mabaan population in the Sudan published in 1962 found good hearing preserved to age 70. Figure 2 shows that anything more than a 10-decibel hearing loss may not be normal.

Figure 2. Hearing loss in women and men in industrial societies and the non-industrialized Mabaans. Adapted by Kathleen Romito MD from Figure 11 in Kryter KD. Presbycusis, sociocusis and nosocusis. J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 1 June 1983; 73 (6): 1897–1917. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.389580.

Other lines of evidence supporting the conclusion that hearing loss in old people isn’t due to normal aging include:

  • Occupational studies showing exactly how much noise causes hearing loss. This is the basis of noise exposure limits for workers. Everyone’s ears are the same. If noise causes hearing loss in workers, it has to cause hearing loss in everyone.
  • Boys and girls have equal hearing at birth, but by the teen years and into adulthood, women have better hearing than men. [See Figure 2.] Girls and women generally don’t do noisy things like hunting or woodworking, or work in noisy factories or mines or operate heavy equipment.
  • Workplace hearing loss occurs in the frequencies the ear is exposed to. For example, dentists have high-frequency hearing loss in the ear nearest the drill.
  • How noise damages hearing is well-understood, down to the cellular, subcellular, and molecular levels.

What else could cause age-related hearing loss? Some experts mention drugs that damage the ear, hardening of the arteries, genes that cause hearing loss, or nutritional factors, but seem to ignore or downplay noise. The published evidence, though, doesn’t support a major role for any of these other factors.

Recent research supports the conclusion that hearing loss in older people can be prevented. The upper left-hand graph in Figure 3 shows that normal hearing loss in older people is minimal, about 10 decibels at 4,000 Hertz (cycles per second ) as in Figure 2.

Figure 3. Mean audiograms and standard errors of exemplars (filled symbols) and non-exemplars (open symbols) in four audiometric phenotypes. Reproduced with permission from Dubno JR, Eckert MA, Lee FS, et al. Classifying human audiometric phenotypes of age-related hearing loss from animal models. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol. 2013 Oct;14(5):687-701. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3767874/

Why does prevention of age-related hearing loss matter? Hearing aids are expensive. Only one-third of older Americans who might benefit from hearing aids have them. Even in countries where hearing aids are provided by the national health insurance program, many people don’t want them. There is a stigma attached to hearing loss and to wearing hearing aids. Also, hearing aids don’t restore normal hearing and don’t work as well as desired in noisy restaurants or at parties,

CDC states that noise-induced hearing loss is the only type of hearing loss that is 100% preventable. Preventing age-related hearing loss is simple and inexpensive: reduce lifetime noise exposure. If something sounds loud, it’s too loud, and one’s auditory health is at risk. Turn down the volume, insert earplugs, or leave the noisy environment and you won’t need hearing aids when you get old.

More information can be obtained from the poster at https://virtual.posterpresentations.com/research/presentation/ID279825/.

Sound Highways of the Sea: Mapping Acoustic Corridors for Whales and Fish in Colombia’s Pacific

Maria Paula Rey Baquero – rey_m@javeriana.edu.co
Instagram: @mariapaulareyb
Pontificia Universidad Javeriana
Fundación Macuáticos Colombia
Bogotá
Colombia

Additional Authors:
Kerri D. Seger
Camilo Andrés Correa Ayram
Natalia Botero Acosta
Maria Angela Echeverry-Galvis

Project Ports, Humpbacks y Sound In Colombia – @physicolombia
Fundación Macuaticos Colombia – @macuaticos
Semillero Aquasistemas – @aquasistemaspuj

Popular version of 4aAB5 – Modeling for acoustical corridors in patchy reef habitats of the Gulf of Tribugá, Colombia
Presented at the 188th ASA Meeting
Read the abstract at https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0037990

–The research described in this Acoustics Lay Language Paper may not have yet been peer reviewed–

Sound plays a fundamental role in marine ecosystems, functioning as an invisible network of “pathways” or corridors that connect habitat patches and enable critical behaviors like migration, communication, and reproduction. In Colombia’s northern Pacific, one of the most biodiverse regions, the Gulf of Tribugá stands out for its pristine soundscape, dominated by the sounds of marine life. Designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a “Hope Spot” for conservation, this area serves as a vital nursery for humpback whales and supports local livelihoods through ecotourism and artisanal fishing. However, increasing human activities, including boat traffic and climate change, threaten these acoustic habitats, prompting researcher on how sound influences ecological connectivity—the lifeline for marine species’ movement and survival.

This study in Colombia’s Gulf of Tribugá mapped how ocean sounds connect marine life by integrating acoustic data with ecological modeling. Researchers analyzed how sound travels through the marine environment, finding that humpback whale songs (300 Hz) create natural acoustical corridors along coastal areas and rocky islands (‘riscales’). These pathways, though occasionally interrupted by depth variations, appear crucial for whale communication, navigation, and maintaining social connections during migration. In contrast, fish calls (100 Hz) showed no detectable sound corridors, suggesting fish may depend less on acoustic signals or use alternative navigation cues like wave noise when moving between habitats.

Photographs of some of the recorded fish species. Source: Author

The research underscores that acoustical connectivity is species-specific. While humpback whales may depend on sound corridors and prioritize long-distance communication, fish may prioritize short-range communication or other environmental signals. At any distance, noise pollution disrupts these systems universally: The bubbling/popping sounds created by spinning boat propellers, for instance, generate frequencies that can covers up the whale songs and fish calls and degrade habitat quality, even if fish are less affected over the same distances that whales are. Background noise shrinks and breaks up the underwater corridors that marine animals use to communicate and navigate, harming their underwater sound habitat.

Figure 1. Received sound levels when emitted by singers (a) without noise and (b) with background noise, at a grain size of 2 Φ. The left column shows conditions without background noise, and the right column shows conditions with noise. Sound intensities most likely to be heard by a humpback whale at 200 Hz are shown in green, less likely sounds in orange, and inaudible sounds in black. Source: Author

Noise pollution alters behaviors and acoustic corridors humpback whales rely on for communication and navigation in Colombia’s Pacific waters. Notably, the fish species studied showed no sound-dependent movement, suggesting their reliance on other cues. The study advocates for sound-inclusive conservation, proposing that acoustic data (more easily gathered today via satellites, field recordings, and public databases) should join traditional metrics like currents or temperature in marine management. Protecting acoustic corridors could become as vital as safeguarding breeding grounds, especially in biodiverse hubs like Tribugá.

This work marks a first step towards integrated acoustical-ecological models, offering tools to quantify noise impacts and design smarter protections. Future research could refine species-specific sound thresholds or expand to deeper oceanic areas. For now, the message is preserving marine ecosystems requires listening, not just looking. Combining efforts to lessen human noise by using mapped soundscapes to target critical corridors could help in the conservation of marine species.

Acoustic Metamaterials for Quality of Life: Engineering Challenges for Low-Height Noise Barriers

Domenico De Salvio – domenico.desalvio2@unibo.it
Instagram: @midrashdds
Department of Industrial Engineering (DIN)
University of Bologna
Bologna, Bologna 40136
Italy

Massimo Garai
Department of Industrial Engineering (DIN)
University of Bologna
Bologna, Bologna 40136
Italy

Popular version of 3pNS3 – Metamaterials application on low-height noise barrier for railways: challenges of real-world scenarios
Presented at the 188th ASA Meeting
Read the abstract at https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0037929

–The research described in this Acoustics Lay Language Paper may not have yet been peer reviewed–

If you’ve ever lived near a train line, you know the roar of passing cars can be more than annoying — it can hurt your health. A primary source of this noise comes from transportation; among them, railway lines, having a high density in Europe, can be particularly disturbing for nearby residents. The traditional high noise barriers can help, but they aren’t always practical in urban areas. Low-height noise barriers (LHNBs), typically less than 1 meter high, can be a good alternative. These barriers work well because they can be placed very close to the source of the noise, such as where train wheels interact with the rails, as shown in Figure 1.

A low-height noise barrier is placed next to the railway. Image courtesy of Kraiburg Strail®.

Figure 1. A low-height noise barrier is placed next to the railway. Image courtesy of Kraiburg Strail®.

However, for these low barriers to work best, their surface needs to be good at absorbing sound (see Figure 2). Here, acoustic metamaterials can play a key role. These artificial structures have unique properties that natural materials lack, enabling them to absorb sound in ways that conventional materials cannot. Their functionality relies on their geometric configuration rather than solely on the raw materials used, enabling them to be made from weather- and dust-resistant materials.

The effectiveness of an Low-Height Noise Barrier

Figure 2. The effectiveness of an LHNB. The colors represent sound pressure level: red indicates the highest noise levels, while blue shows the lowest. On the left, the noise generated by the wheel-rail interaction. In the middle, the effectiveness of a generic LHNB is shown. On the right, the noise reduction achieved by an optimized sound-absorbing LHNB. The less red there is, the more effective the LHNB is.

This study is part of the European project LIFE SILENT and examines the integration of metamaterials into a specific type of LHNB. It employs two types of acoustic resonators designed within the constraints of a real-world scenario: Neck Embedded Helmholtz Resonators (NEHRs) and Fabry-Pérot (FP) channels. Combining these resonators enables the LHNB to mitigate railway noise.

Designing these complex structures requires a thorough process. The optimal geometry of the metamaterial has been studied through a combination of complex simulations and nature-inspired algorithms. Specifically, the geometry was optimized using a computational technique called “particle swarm” inspired by the social behavior of flocks of birds and schools of fish.

Prototypes of the metamaterial units were 3D printed in plastic because of the need for customization and precision (see Figure 3). Once the efficiency of the metamaterial is tested, serial production of the optimized geometry can also be achieved through traditional industrial molding techniques, thus, in real-world scenarios.

Figure 3. Example of 3D printed metamaterial NEHRs (on the left) and FP (on the right), the units that compose the sound-absorbing LHNB surface.

This work demonstrates how metamaterial engineering can be applied to everyday situations. The study tackles practical limitations and constraints, the need for durability against outdoor conditions, and the challenges of manufacturing complex structures. The research outlines the essential steps to transition from a lab idea to a potentially mass-produced solution against noise pollution by developing a focused design, creating physical prototypes, and conducting tests. While recognizing challenges like manufacturing accuracy and the impact of real-world conditions, the project emphasizes that acoustic metamaterials can be designed to be robust and effective for public infrastructure, paving the way for their practical use for a better daily life.

Pickleball noise raises health concerns for neighbors living near courts

Kathleen Romito – Kathleen@lfprograms.org

Quiet Communities, Scientific Advisory Board, The Robert and Nalini Lasiewicz Foundation, BOISE, ID, 83703-1000, United States

Daniel Fink – DJFink@thequietcoalition.org
Program Chair, The Quiet Coalition
A program of Quiet Communities, Inc.
60 Thoreau Street Suite 261
Concord, MA 01742

Popular version of 4aPP1 – Pickleball noise – A qualitative description of the psychological and physiological effects on nearby residents
Presented at the 188th ASA Meeting
Read the abstract at https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0038039

–The research described in this Acoustics Lay Language Paper may not have yet been peer reviewed–

New research shows that pickleball noise appears to raise major health concerns for residents living near courts. Pickleball is a racquet sport like tennis, but is played on smaller courts with hard wood or fiberglass paddles and hard plastic balls similar to whiffle balls. Instead of the softer “ping” heard during tennis, pickleball play makes a piercing “pop” sound. Pickleball started increasing in popularity during Covid, and many residents living near courts have now had several years of daily exposure to the popping noise.

How does pickleball noise affect the neighbors? Image source: Nicholas Klein, Istock photo 1746673904, 2023

 

Our study found that disrupted sleep, cardiac, and neurologic issues were the most common self-reported physical symptoms from nearby neighbors as shown in Figure 1. Hearing phantom pops appears to be a new type of phenomenon that can’t be completely explained yet, but may represent changes in brain processing systems.

Self-reported physical symptoms from pickleball noise exposure.
Figure 1: Self-reported physical symptoms from pickleball noise exposure.

 

Self-reported psychological symptoms included mental health problems, mentions of trauma, and “red flag” complaints including severe distress, mention of torture, and suicidal thoughts as shown in Figure 2. An example of a comment that was classified as “severe distress” is: “No one would choose to live this way. It is physically and emotionally debilitating”.

Self-reported psychological symptoms from pickleball noise exposure.Figure 2: Self-reported psychological symptoms from pickleball noise exposure.

 

Why do those living near pickleball courts feel this way?

The piercing “pop” comes from a sudden, loud burst of sound called impulse noise. Impulse noise is characterized by short duration with a sharp rise and decrease, as shown below in Figure 3.

Pickleball noise sound pressure trace. Courtesy of Lance Willis, Spenderian and Willis, Tucson, AZ. Figure 3: Pickleball noise sound pressure trace. Image courtesy of Lance Willis, Spenderian and Willis, Tucson, AZ.

 

Listen to this audio below to hear the sound generated by 4 pickleball courts.

Sound from 4 pickleball courts.

An acoustic study of one neighbor’s experience found up to 2800 pickleball pops per hour, for a total of 21,208 pops in one day as shown in Figure 4. That’s a lot of disruptive impulse noise to endure. And to make it even worse, the frequency of the “popping” sound (about 1200 Hertz) is the same as back up alarms for vehicles.

One day, 4 courts, hourly distribution of 21,208 total pops. Courtesy of Noise Net Operations US, Inc.Figure 4: One day, 4 courts, hourly distribution of 21,208 total pops. Image courtesy of Noise Net Operations US, Inc.

 

It’s not unusual for those living near pickleball courts to be exposed to this repetitive impulse noise more than 90 hours/week. That might be more than 100,000 pickleball pops a week! Figure 5 demonstrates a day for busy courts open from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m.

A typical day of pickleball noise exposure for a neighbor near busy courts.Figure 5: A typical day of pickleball noise exposure for a neighbor near busy courts.

 

While some workplace studies have examined impulse noise and hearing loss, our study is the first to explore its health effects on the general public. Long-term exposure to impulse noise wasn’t a public concern until pickleball courts were built near homes. In some cases, the popping is even heard inside people’s homes.

We used a research method called content analysis to analyze public comments in news reports, legal filings and social media, spotting early trends by grouping and counting similar comments. While not definitive, this method helps identify problems, guide research, and spark discussion.

Local noise ordinances often focus on average sound levels (decibels) and don’t regulate repetitive impulse noise like pickleball. Unfortunately, most noise studies don’t consider all the factors that affect how people actually perceive such noise, especially the repetitive impulse noise hours a day from pickleball play. As pickleball noise expert and referee Bob Unetich told NPR in 2023, “You can’t take pop, pop, pop for 12 hours a day every day and remain sane.”

We need more research on how long-term impulse noise affects the health of people living near pickleball courts. Future studies could look at what makes pickleball noise unique, how this kind of noise impacts people’s minds and bodies, how far courts should be from homes, and how well different noise-reducing methods work.

So far, we aren’t aware of any courts within 100 feet of homes that have been successfully quieted. Until more is known, we recommend that courts not be placed within 100 feet of homes and that courts within 1,000 feet of homes receive close attention. Sound evaluations by engineers should look at more than just how loud the sound is. All the factors that affect how humans perceive sound should be considered.

There is no doubt that pickleball is lots of fun for those who play, but it raises major health concerns for those living near the courts.

Shhh! Smart Tech at Work: Zoning in on Target Sounds Amid the Noise

Jingya Yang – jing.ya161@gmail.com

Department of Power Mechanical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, -, 300, Taiwan

Popular version of 1aSP2 – Target-Direction Sound Extraction Using a Hybrid DSP/Deep Learning Approach
Presented at the 187th ASA Meeting
Read the abstract at https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0034980

–The research described in this Acoustics Lay Language Paper may not have yet been peer reviewed–

In a noisy world, capturing clear audio from specific directions can be a game-changer. Imagine a system that can zero in on a target sound, even amid background noise. This is the goal of Target Directional Sound Extraction (TDSE), a process designed to isolate sounds from a particular direction, while filtering out unwanted noise.

Our team has developed an innovative TDSE system that combines Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and deep learning. Traditional sound extraction relies on signal processing, but it struggles when multiple sounds come from various directions or when using fewer microphones. Deep learning can help, but it sometimes results in distorted audio. By integrating DSP-based spatial filtering with a deep neural network (DNN), our system extracts clear target audio with minimal interference, even with limited microphones.

The system relies on spatial filtering techniques like beamforming and blocking. Beamforming serves as a signal estimator, enhancing sounds from the target direction, while blocking acts as a noise estimator, suppressing sounds from the target direction and leaving other unwanted noises intact. Using a deep learning model, our system processes spatial features and sound embeddings (unique characteristics of the target sound), yielding clear, isolated audio. In our tests, this method improved sound quality by 3-9 dB and performed well with different microphone setups, even those not used during training.

Audio 1 & Audio 2

TDSE could transform various industries, from virtual meetings to entertainment, by enhancing audio clarity in real time. Our system’s design offers flexibility, making it adaptable for real-world applications where clear directional audio is crucial.

This approach is an exciting step toward more robust, adaptive audio processing systems, allowing users to capture target sounds even in challenging environments.