The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia will be held in stadiums seating up to 81,000 people. That’s equivalent to the population of a medium-sized town. When they all come together in one place to cheer on their national teams, it creates a unique soundscape. Nowadays, there are not only the innumerable voices, drums and horns of fans, but also clips and announcements on the huge stadium loudspeakers. Loud noises are also produced on the pitch. On the one hand, there are the distinctive shouts of players and coaches. Yet the loudest object in the stadium is in the hands of the referee. At 130 dB, his whistle is as loud as a jet plane taking off, making it unmistakable.
A new hearing aid – What happens now?