Photo credit: Mason Tuttle
by Kathleen Romito, MD, member, Quiet Communities Scientific Advisory Council
CBS comedy “The Neighborhood” got some laughs by highlighting pickleball noise during a recent episode. The storyline features neighbors sharing their dismay about pickleball noise invading their homes. The scene, which was actually pretty funny, caused those of us advocating for relief from chronic pickleball noise to raise a toast, celebrating that our message seems to be gaining some traction.
After more than 150 press reports in the past few years, an increasing number of lawsuits and a wealth of discussion on social media, it’s great news that pickleball noise and its effect on neighbors may now be entering the public consciousness through entertainment.
Research shows that constant exposure to certain types of noise is associated with sleep disturbances, cardiovascular problems and mental health issues. The unique acoustic profile of pickleball — with its sharp, repetitive pops — makes it particularly intrusive and problematic when it can be heard inside the homes of nearby neighbors.
The CBS episode serves as a wake-up call. By poking fun at the pickleball noise issue and playing it for laughs, the writers are signaling that there is an increasing public awareness about this problem. It’s time to acknowledge that the noise is not just a mild annoyance but a significant problem that poses a risk to public health. Communities need to start taking a proactive approach to address the pickleball noise issue with sound barriers, limited hours and appropriate setbacks from homes.
Perhaps we’re at a tipping point, and maybe there’s an opportunity here. Pickleball is wildly popular, so it might provide a great context to start conversations about all types of chronic noise and the harm it imposes on bystanders.
If CBS is poking fun at pickleball noise in a television show, maybe it’s time we all start paying attention.
