Pickleball noise and conflict: It’s not just the decibels

Kathleen Romito – kathleen@romitoresearch.org

Quiet Communities, Scientific Advisory Board, BOISE, ID, 83703-1000, United States

Stephanie Knudson, Charles Leahy

Popular version of 1pNSc6 – Reevaluating Pickleball Noise Assessment: The Case for Integrating Non-Acoustic Annoyance Factors
Presented at the 189th ASA Meeting
Read the abstract at https://eppro02.ativ.me//web/index.php?page=Session&project=ASAASJ25&id=3986248

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

Pickleball is a wildly popular sport, with over 36 million players nationwide. The hard paddle strike on the plastic ball creates a distinctive pock-pock-pock sound that players find invigorating, but neighbors living close to courts experience as irritating at best. HOAs and recreation districts are retrofitting tennis courts into pickleball courts to meet popular demand, but too often these courts are located very near homes.

There are countless reports documenting neighbors’ complaints and efforts to decrease the decibel level of pickleball play with noise barriers and quiet equipment. Many acoustics professionals are aware of other acoustic factors besides decibels such as impulsivity, frequency (Hz), and number of noise events per unit time that play a role in how humans perceive sound.

The context around a sound also plays an important role in how humans perceive sound. These are called non-acoustic factors. This study looks at the the pervasive non-acoustic effects related to long-term exposure to pickleball noise. It turns out that it’s not just about the decibels.

People who can hear pickleball noise in their homes (“neighbors”) have provided a wealth of personal accounts of non-acoustic factors affecting their lives. From 2023 to 2025, the authors closely analyzed news reports, social media, podcasts, Zoom recordings of public meetings, and legal filings pertaining to pickleball noise. We identified six categories of non-acoustic factors that contribute to neighbors’ distress.

1. Social conflict: The nature of these conflicts is widespread and includes face to face harassment as well as name calling/threats on social media towards those who speak up about the noise problem (e.g. Karens, crybabies, busybodies, whiners, ridiculous, entitled…).

2. Fear: Neighbors, even those who don’t speak out, report fear of harassment. Residents also fear the effects on their physical and mental health the longer they are exposed to the noise. One man was so disturbed by his auditory hallucinations that he and his wife went on a hunger strike to try to stop the noise.

3. Negative impact on daily activities: Neighbors report being forced to leave their homes for hours or days at a time. They stop opening windows, stop using their yards, and stop having guests over. They report being unable to enjoy a sense of peace inside their own homes.

4. Loss of locus of control: In one recent survey of >260 communities, almost 3 out of 4 living within 1000 feet of courts reported being able to hear the noise inside their homes. In an effort to gain some sense of control, some people wear noise cancelling headphones in their own homes or spend lots of money on new windows. But even these efforts do not resolve the situation, leaving residents feeling like they have no control over their own lives at home.

5. Loss of trust in authorities: Neighbors report that authorities, even after hearing about the impact on the neighbors, often don’t take action to move or close courts with the explanation “we can’t make everyone happy.”

6. Perceived unfairness. Neighbors express a sense of injustice when the majority’s desire for a specific type of recreation seems to outweigh the minority’s right to be able to enjoy their homes in peace.

Why is this important? Because research shows that the context around a noise affects how much that noise impacts people. (See ISO technical specification 16755-1).

Pickleball noise is not merely an issue of sound and decibels; it’s a complex psychosocial public health phenomenon that impacts communities to an extent not previously documented. The data clearly show that courts in residential areas cause significant community discord. One solution may be to create formal policy on setbacks for pickleball court locations so players can enjoy their game in a location where neighbors are not affected.

The Noise Nobody Planned For: A Community Perspective on Pickleball Noise

Kathleen Romito – kathleen@romitoresearch.org

Quiet Communities, Inc., Lincoln, MA, 01773, United States

Jamie Banks, PhD.
Quiet Communities, Inc.

Popular version of 1pNSc5 – Bridging the data gap: A survey of residents exposed to pickleball noise
Presented at the 189th ASA Meeting
Read the abstract at https://eppro02.ativ.me/appinfo.php?page=Session&project=ASAASJ25&id=3986247&server=eppro02.ativ.me

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

Pickleball, a paddle sport played with hard paddles and a plastic ball, has grown rapidly across the United States. In 2024 alone, more than 18,000 new courts were built nationwide. The noise is loud, impulsive, and often constant throughout the day. As more courts are constructed, the sharp, repetitive sounds of play are creating problems for nearby residents. This has led to widespread community conflicts, thousands of complaints, and an estimated 200 legal claims across the country.

Decision-makers responsible for approving the location of new pickleball courts are generally aware of the sport’s social and health benefits, but may not be aware of the possible negative effects that pickleball noise may have on the surrounding community.

This survey explores how people living near pickleball courts are affected by the noise in their daily lives. It aims to guide better decisions about where new courts are built and how noise can be reduced. We received 440 responses from 264 communities impacted by pickleball noise. Some of the key results are as follows:

*Almost three out of four people living within 1000 feet of courts say they can hear pickleball noise inside their homes.
*Nearly half report they have been harassed by pickleball players.
*Nine out of ten describe the noise as repetitive popping—more than the six out of ten who say it’s “loud”.

Eight out of ten respondents say that the noise constantly or almost always interferes with their ability to enjoy their home or relax.

More than half have moved or are considering moving away because of the noise. Many have lived in their homes for 20 or 30 years, often near parks that were previously peaceful.

Health concerns are widespread. 92% of respondents reported some type of health effect related to the noise.
Seven out of ten reported concerns about unusually strong physical or emotional reactions to pickleball noise in their homes—ranging from anxiety, tension, or irritability to elevated heart rate.

Nearly six out of ten people are concerned about “phantom pops”, hearing the noise even when no one is playing—sometimes waking them up at night or occurring weeks after they’ve moved away.

Both of these responses suggest a possible trauma-like response in some residents living near courts. More research is urgently needed.

The results show that pickleball noise is having a strong impact on residents living nearby:

  • People—even those more than 500 feet from courts—report being unable to enjoy their homes,
    consistent with a noise nuisance.
  • Many describe health concerns linked to the body’s stress response to chronic impulsive noise.
  • Community relationships are being strained, with conflicts and harassment between neighbors.

Using the decibel alone is not enough to convey the impacts of pickleball noise. It is the quality of the sound, its repetitiveness, its ability to be heard over long distances, and its duration. The setback between courts and homes may need to exceed 500 feet. Communities are encouraged to support pickleball recreation while also safeguarding residents’ health and well-being. Evidence-based guidelines for siting and noise control are needed to support this effort.