Pickleball Noise and Health

 Pickleball is a paddle sport similar to tennis but played on smaller courts with hard paddles and plastic balls, producing a sharp “pop” rather than tennis’s softer “ping.” Since its surge in popularity during COVID, many residents near courts have endured years of daily exposure to this noise. Communities nationwide are now hearing complaints, with one website listing nearly 400 noise hot spots. 

Yes, it can be harmful.  Decades of research has shown that noise, mainly transportation noise, sets off an unconscious stress response in our body that can cause a lot of different health issues, involving our heart, brain, and mental health.

Pickleball is known to be 4x louder than tennis. Additionally, it is an "impulse" noise—sharp and repetitive like a rat-a-tat—and impulse noises are known to be more disturbing than steady noise. While impulse noise has been studied in military and construction settings, never before have people been exposed to it continuously in their homes, day after day, with no way to escape. Some residents can be exposed to 30,000-40,000 pops/day---and the pops are around the same pitch as a back up alarm on vehicles, setting off our unconscious stress response. 

The issue of pickleball noise crosses many disciplines. Acoustic professionals have studied the unique “pop” of pickleball, exploring how to measure this brief, sharp sound.   Lawyers are studying the legal and planning and zoning ramifications.  Health researchers  are studying the impact of the noise on neighbors who live near pickleball courts. 

Yes, based on early findings, pickleball noise is  linked to some serious health concerns in nearby neighbors, including heart and brain issues --like hearing phantom pickleball pops, even months after moving way.  Sleep disturbances, anxiety, even PTSD-like symptoms and some suicidal thoughts have been reported----all related to pickleball noise.   Drawing from expert acoustic guidance and our research, we recommend proactive measures for leaders to address pickleball courts situated near residences that may pose health risks.  Keep reading to learn more about our research...

Yes.  The recommendations at this time are based on expert opinions.  As we collect more data, we'll be able to refine these recommendations furthers. 

According to sound experts who’ve assessed 150+ pickleball sites, courts within 100 feet of homes are nearly impossible to quiet, even with good barriers. Between 100–400 feet, costly barriers, restricted hours, and quiet equipment may all be needed. All courts within 1,000 feet should undergo comprehensive sound analysis.  This is fully analyzed and described in our research paper found below.   https://doi.org/10.1121/2.0002030.   An upcoming article by the American Planning Association also discusses recommendations (see below). 

 As you listen to the recording below, imagine hearing this sound every day in your own home. In many communities, it continues seven days a week, from early morning until late evening. During peak seasons, the sharp popping can go on for hours without a break. 

Kathleen Romito MD, Daniel Fink MD

A  plain language summary is available here:

https://acoustics.org/pickleball-noise-raises-health-concerns-for-neighbors-living-near-courts/

1.  What important should be included in a sound study on pickleball noise?  This research paper by Charles Leahy explains the components should be included in a professional sound study for pickelball noise.

https://pubs.aip.org/asa/poma/article/54/1/040009/3317649/Preliminary-analysis-of-79-pickleball-noise 

2.  How should pickleball noise be measured?  This public report done for the City of Centennial CO, by Lance Willis, is technical, but has valuable information.

 https://www.centennialco.gov/files/sharedassets/public/v/2/documents/city-projects-and-initiatives/centennial-pickleball-noise-assessment.pdf

3.  There is generally agreement that the impulsive nature of the sound must be considered when evaluating the sound.  Mark Storm's paper discusses this further.

https://ince.publisher.ingentaconnect.com/content/ince/incecp/2024/00000269/00000002/art00076;jsessionid=7ql6qlur54762.x-ic-live-03

This paper by Charles Leahy explains some of the legal ramifications of pickleball noise.  Coming Jan/Feb 2026

Pickleball noise from a planning and zoning perspective  is discussed in this paper by Charles Leahy. Recommendations are provided. Coming Jan/Feb 2026.

 A  mapping study done in France demonstrates how many residents can be affected by the impulsive noise of padel, a game very similar to pickleball. https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.10.08.25337575v2

There has been more than 40 years of research demonstrating that noise is harmful to health.

One of the best summaries is by the American Public Health Association.

https://www.apha.org/policy-and-advocacy/public-health-policy-briefs/policy-database/2022/01/07/noise-as-a-public-health-hazard