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.