Similar to the Phillies world championship runs in 2008 and 2009 [2010 too?], the Flyers are taking Philadelphia by storm. Like any good fan base, Flyer fans are making things loud for the visiting Chicago Blackhawks. As a matter of fact, NHL.com published sound level readings for Game 3 at the Wachovia Center in South Philly.
When Danny Briere scored a power play goal in the first period, the noise reached 112 dB, the upper range of human tolerance without inducing pain and 114 dB was reached when Claude Giroux scored the game winning goal in overtime. These "official" measurements are consistent with the informal measurements I made myself on my smartphone while at the Eastern Conference semifinal win over the Montreal Canadiens.
For the most part, it is best to avoid environments that loud in order to avoid causing damage to your ears. In instances when you can't avoid situations like that, it is best to wear hearing protection such as custom made ear plugs, generic ear plugs, or circumaural headphones. You may recall, when Drew Brees won the Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints, his young son was seen on the field during the post-game celebration wearing hearing protection.
