The pandemic and not going out much aside from robotics for the past 2 years really made me realize just how overstimulating FIRST events are. Like, they are arguably the most overstimulating thing I regularly participate in, and it can cause major barriers to entry. No one should have to choose between watching their team play and being in physical pain that this can cause.
I’m not suggesting no one’s allowed to cheer, or that events have to be silent or anything, but we can definitely do better than this. Quiet rooms are a good first step, and one which I’m eternally grateful for.
Note: this isn’t championship specific either. Regionals, districts, even off-seasons. We can make our sport more friendly to people who struggle with sensory processing issues, or really anyone who may benefit from less overwhelming events.
Earplugs. They don’t completely block out all sound but they help a lot. I was talking with other people at one of the events we went to and I might starting bringing some.
I have been using foam earplugs while near the field or in the pits at every FRC event for years now, regardless of whether I am there as a competitor or a volunteer. One year, the speakers for making announcements in the pits were right next to the inspection station I was working at.
While everyone still has to yell at each other to be heard, with the earplugs, the average sound level, over time, is lower for me so I am not so fatigued.
There has been a dramatic reduction in noise level over the years. Music used to be played constantly between matches at a high decibel level to help amp up the excitement level. In the past few years it has become tolerable to the point that I can leave the competition and still have a voice. I’d advocate for individual hearing protection.