During the playoffs with the New Orleans Pelicans, their coach said he wasn’t sure the decibel level at Oracle was legal. And it’s only gotten louder during the finals.<\/p>\n
“It was insane,” said one fan. “Like nothing else I’ve ever been to.”<\/p>\n
Mont Stong is an audiologist in San Francisco who treats patients with hearing loss. He estimates Oracle’s decibel levels in the 100 to 120 range, which is like listening to a chainsaw or the engines of a jet plane. It’s noise that he says can be temporarily or permanently detrimental.<\/p>\n
“Any kind of auditorium that is totally enclosed, is very loud, and that loud sound doesn’t have an opportunity to escape,” he said.<\/p>\n
He suggests fans wear earplugs or headphones like the ones little Riley Curry was seen wearing after Game 1.<\/p>\n
But fans at the Warriors team store told ABC7 News that they aren’t worried about the risk.<\/p>\n
“The experience, the excitement more than makes up for it,” said one fan.<\/p>\n
“I can understand why,” Stong said. “I mean, it’s the excitement, you want to make noise, I get it, but it’s not healthy for your hearing to do that, no.”<\/p>\n
The raucous Warriors fans are legendary. Even King James had to acknowledge it.<\/p>\n
“The fans here are pretty loud, pretty good, really good,” he said.<\/p>\n
And that’s not likely to change.<\/p>\n