“Gun shot’s little brother” or pickleball’s percussive pop is generated when the hard paddle impacts the hard plastic ball. Its defining characteristic is a rapid 2ms rise to a peak that is properly classified as an impulsive sound.

Make no mistake, impulsive noise is no mere irritant or annoyance. Pickleball’s pop exceeds US and international environmental noise standards.

Abutters to just four pickleball courts can be exposed to 50,000 hits a day reaching up to 90 decibels.  

The predominant pitch of each hit is 1.2khz. Evolution taught us to be alert for valuable information when that frequency is heard.

One rapid onset impulsive pop of 2ms grabs your attention. Exposure to thousands every day races your heart to be ready to fight or to flee. Continuous exposure creates a human health risk.

The producer of the noise may howl with delight with the sensation of a well connected shot.

At night when the echoes of the days games finally cease phantom pops even invade the peacefulness that once was a restful night of sleep.

If this sounds indelibly familiar, you are not alone…and we can help.