At the UT-Georgia Tech game in 1983, noise readings were taken of the then-capacity 95,000-fan noise using an audiometer, which measures sound pressure in decibels. The pregame noise level was 87-96 dB, comparable to a jackhammer at 10 feet. The defense, which held Georgia Tech on 4th and 1 at the UT 14-yard line in the first quarter, received consistent cheer levels of 104-106 dB, comparable to a loud shout in the ear from a foot away. The average dB level produced by a UT touchdown was in the 100-120 dB range, which approaches the noise level of a 747 jet engine at 100 feet—the pain threshold level for human ears. The UT kicking game consistently had readings of dB 102, the noise level of a New York subway train. The noise level for the band’s performance at halftime was 94 dB, and it received applause of 104 dB upon its show completion.
In 1991 Athletic Director Doug Dickey commissioned a study (first of its kind to be performed) by the UT Hearing and Speech Center to determine the effect of crowd noise on the game in progress. Sam Burchfield measured sound at the line of scrimmage at the start and at the end of every play for the VOLS, and did the same for the visiting team in three 1991 and six 1992 home games. He also measured two away games—at Georgia and Louisiana State University. The maximum noise level recorded was 115 dB. Noise levels during home-team snaps were quiet, and the noise was higher for the visiting-team snaps. The highest noise level was when opponents were in a third-down situation. Burchfield indicated that the crowd has the power to create a roar that is enormous, but most of the time it doesn’t. At 115 dB, he said, “officials can’t think and people cannot communicate an inch from each other.” Burchfield could not say how many dBs equal how many points but was convinced it is a factor.