On Sunday Kansas City Chiefs Fans broke the Guinness World Record for "Loudest Crowd Cheer at a Sports Stadium," sustaining a din of 137.5 decibels. Because noises exceeding 85 decibels can cause permanent hearing loss and tinnitus, 3M provided free earplug samples to game attendees. Fans were also encouraged to download 3M's free hearing conservation mobile app, which includes a sound level meter.
The crowd in Arrowhead Stadium exceeded the previous record of 136.6 decibels set by Seattle Seahawks fans Sept. 15. For reference, a gunshot is approximately 140 to 165 decibels, and a table saw is about 105 decibels.
Players told the Associated Press it became difficult to communicate with each other during the fourth quarter. "We were really trying hard to get our calls to each other on defense. It was really tough," Chiefs safety Eric Berry said. "I had to actually go up to some of my teammates and yell in their ear what the calls were."
