Golf has a stereotype of being the sport for the retired. With many retired people facing hearing impairments, the concept that it can hurt your hearing is not what they want to hear. The link between golfing and hearing loss is a possibility though. It is something that is being widely investigated by scientists.
How Is It Possible?
The theory behind this relates to the noise that is made when a golf club hits a golf ball. Commentators have called this noise the ‘sonic boom’ over the years because it can be alarmingly loud. It’s this noise that people believe could be damaging to the ear.
The noise itself is thought to have gotten worse over the years. This is due to the introduction of titanium clubs to the sport. These clubs have become more popular in the last ten years, which many believe is a driving factor behind the link between golfing and hearing loss.
What Are the Impacts
The potential golf-related hearing problem is a form of subjective tinnitus. Tinnitus is a hearing issue that leaves the affected person with a persistent ringing or noise in their ear. It’s something caused by loud noises close to the ear, and it can worsen with age.
With that in mind, it could be seen then that the impact would mostly affect one ear of the golfer. This being the ear that faces the club when teeing off.
Conclusion
The link between golfing and hearing loss has more to do with the materials used in the clubs than because of the sport itself. This is good news for those that enjoy a round or two on the green. Take this into consideration when purchasing or selecting your clubs and you can avoid hearing loss altogether.
