Do You Need Earplugs at a Car Race, and Which Ones?

Yes. NIOSH researchers who measured noise at stock car races found that fans in the stands could reach NIOSH’s 85 dBA daily limit in less than an hour, and peaks during the race went past 140 dB. A good pair of earplugs, or earplugs under earmuffs, lets you enjoy the roar of the field without paying for it later.

Quick answer

• How loud: NIOSH measured an average of 96 dBA in the stands during a race, and peaks above 140 dB.
• How fast: spectators hit the 85 dBA daily limit in under an hour. Crew members got there within minutes.
• Fans: well-fitted earplugs at minimum; NIOSH suggests earmuffs over earplugs for the loudest noise.
• Kids: earmuffs are easier for young children, and plugs plus muffs together reduce sound further.
• Our picks: Full Stop Super-Soft (NRR 32), Guardian Vanquisher (NRR 37) or The One if you want to hear the people around you.

How loud is a car race?

Very loud, and for a long time. In 2010, NIOSH research engineer Chucri Kardous and research audiologist Thais Morata described measurements at three major tracks. Noise levels during preparation, practice, qualifying and the race itself exceeded both the NIOSH recommended limit and the OSHA limit.

At the loudest of the three tracks, NIOSH measured a time-weighted average of 96 dBA for spectators in the stands during the race. Peaks during competition went past 140 dB, and in the pit area they reached and exceeded 130 dB.

An earlier NIOSH study of a stock car racing team, published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, found area sound levels during the race of 88.8 to 123.0 dBA, with peaks around 140 dBA. The researchers wrote that the daily allowable dose was exceeded within about 5 minutes of the race starting.

For comparison, the NIDCD lists sporting events in general at 94 to 110 dBA, and fireworks shows at 140 to 160 dBA. A race sits right up there with the loud end of that list.

How long can you sit in the stands without protection?

Not long. NIOSH sets its recommended exposure limit at 85 dBA averaged over an eight-hour day, and for each 3 dBA increase it recommends cutting the time in half.

Following that rule, here’s how the allowance shrinks as the average climbs. With stands averages of 96 dBA, the window is well under an hour.

The NIOSH researchers put it another way: during a race, a spectator’s noise dose was two to ten times higher than a worker’s dose after a whole 40-hour week at the 85 dBA limit. A full race weekend adds up quickly.

A quick check you can use anywhere: NIOSH notes that at 95 dBA or more, you likely have to shout to be heard by someone 3 feet away. If you’re shouting at the person next to you, your ears need help.

What should fans wear at the track?

At minimum, earplugs that fit well and that you’ll keep in all afternoon. For the loudest moments, NIOSH recommends double protection (earmuffs over earplugs) for noise at 100 dBA or higher. The racing researchers also said double protection may be warranted in some very loud settings.

Fit decides how much protection you actually get. Comfort decides whether you keep them in. NIOSH says comfort is the key to consistent use, and a plug that aches by lap 50 tends to end up in a pocket.

Not sure whether plugs, muffs or both make sense for you? Our guide to earplugs, earmuffs or both walks through the trade-offs.

What about kids at the race?

The NIDCD names auto races among the loud events to plan for when protecting a child’s hearing. It notes that “Earmuffs are easier to use than earplugs, especially for young children,” and that wearing earplugs and earmuffs together can reduce sound further. For older kids who find muffs hot or bulky, soft custom earplugs are a comfortable option.

What about pit crews and track workers?

Crews have it even louder. At the loudest track, team members reached the 85 dBA limit within several minutes, according to NIOSH. Inside the car during practice, a driver averaged 114 dBA.

The team study also measured the race shop, where engine testing and tuning ran at about 104 dBA. Its recommendations were practical: check the fit of protectors, use earmuffs over earplugs for workers who don’t need a communication headset, look at earplugs with built-in speakers for those who do, and take breaks in quieter areas.

The NIOSH bulletin added that crew members should get the same protection drivers already use: custom-molded earplugs with built-in speakers. It also made a nice point: well-chosen hearing protection can improve communication, which can be a competitive edge in the pits.

How does Big Ear help race fans and crews?

We hand-build custom earplugs in the USA from impressions of your own ears. Here’s how our options line up for race day:

The Super-Soft is made from platinum-cure silicone at Shore A 25, so it feels gentle through a long day in the grandstand. It’s hypoallergenic and antibacterial, and you can pick any color or swirl (team colors are fun).

The Vanquisher has an NRR of 37, the highest in this table. It suits the pit and the shop. In the stands, it can be more than some fans need, so think about how much you want to hear.

The One has a two-part, analog, non-electronic filter system: a non-linear filter in the canal of every pair plus an interchangeable flat filter of 9, 15, 20, 25 or 30 dB. We suggest 25 or 30 dB filters for settings such as motorcycles and around aircraft. Car racing isn’t on that list, so please call us at (719) 271-4528 and we’ll help you decide whether filters, solid plugs or plugs under muffs fit your seats. Our filter guide has more detail.

How do you get a custom pair before race season?

Your order includes a free Home Impression Kit, which arrives in 3 to 5 business days. Making the impressions is a simple process that you can do in the comfort of your home: about 15 to 20 minutes with a helper and a guided video, with return postage paid. If an impression doesn’t come out right, we send you another kit at no charge.

We build your pair in 40 business days from the day your impressions reach our lab, so plan ahead for opening weekend. Order shipping is $10. You’re covered by our 30-Day Fit Warranty and a 1-year manufacturer defect warranty against manufacturing defects (loss isn’t covered). Custom products can’t be returned, since they’re made for your ears. We keep your impressions on file for up to ten years.

Race-day earplug FAQ

Are foam earplugs enough at a race?

Foam plugs can work well when they’re inserted properly, and they’re handy to keep in a bag. The key is fit. For the loudest areas, NIOSH suggests earmuffs over earplugs.

Can I wear earplugs under earmuffs or a scanner headset?

Yes. Custom plugs sit inside the ear, so muffs or a headset can go over them. That’s the double protection NIOSH describes for very loud noise.

My ears ring after a race. Is that normal?

The NIDCD lists ringing, buzzing or roaring as a sign of loud noise exposure, and temporary hearing loss can last 16 to 48 hours. If the ringing is new, getting worse, or doesn’t go away, please see a doctor or audiologist.

How early should I order before a big race?

Allow time for the kit to reach you, about 15 to 20 minutes to make impressions, and 40 business days in our lab once they arrive.

Ready for the green flag?

Order with a free Home Impression Kit, try Find my pair, or call us at (719) 271-4528. We’ll help you enjoy every lap and still hear clearly on the drive home.

Sources

• Kardous CA, Morata T. High Speeds, Higher Decibels. NIOSH Science Bulletin, 16 August 2010.
• Van Campen LE, Morata T, Kardous CA, et al. Ototoxic Occupational Exposures for a Stock Car Racing Team: I. Noise Surveys. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene. 2005;2(8):383–390. CDC Stacks.
• NIDCD. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. Updated 16 April 2025.
• NIDCD. Protect Your Child’s Hearing. Updated 28 April 2025.
• NIOSH. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. Reviewed 30 January 2024.
• NIOSH. Provide Hearing Protection. Reviewed 31 January 2024.